STUDENTS have walked out of lessons at a Warrington school among protests over access to toilets.

Parents and students at Great Sankey High School have reported chaos today as a peaceful protest got out of hand with reports of fire alarms being set off and pupils left frightened.

Many have spoken to the Warrington Guardian over the issue while videos have been posted on social media.

Youngsters are angered by restrictions on when they can use the toilets and reports of long queues at lunchtime as students try to use the facility.

Similar protests have been recorded across the country from Cornwall to Yorkshire and Essex to Lincolnshire. Some parents of pupils who attend say they are ‘treated like animals’ and are backing the consensual decision to protest against the conditions that came into place last June’.

One parent at the school said: “Many times, my daughters have not been able to go to the toilet while they’re at school which is seven or eight hours some days.

“It’s totally unacceptable and the students have clearly run out of patience with the whole situation.

“The toilet situation at GSHS has been an issue for a number of years. There are simply not enough toilets for the sheer number of students at the school."

Another parent whose son attends the school spoke of her concern for the health of pupils at the setting.

“Students don’t drink in class; they are coming home de-hydrated because they are not allowed to use the toilets.

“Many of them are protesting outside today. There are parents threatening to take their children out of the school because of it,” she said.

“It is a breach of basic human rights; these are young adults, and they are not being given the respect they deserve.”

A spokesman for the school said: "A number of students held a short protest which we believe to be directly related to a series of national protests in schools.   

"Leaders at the school believe the reason for this protest is regarding the perceived lack of available toilets for student use within the school.  This rationale for protest has not been clearly communicated, with the exception of videos published on social media clearly encouraging students to protest about the availability of toilets at the school. 

"The protest took place and came to a calm conclusion after approximately 10 minutes, when the vast majority of students returned peacefully to lessons.  We are extremely proud of those students who conducted themselves respectfully and peacefully. 

"Unfortunately, a small number of students chose not to return to lessons and continued to refuse to follow the requests or instructions of staff at the school.  Whilst we actively encourage our students to have a voice, and we listen carefully to any concerns that are raised, we are saddened that a small minority of students at the school have chosen to use this as an excuse to be disrespectful to other members of our community.   

"Leaders at Great Sankey High School recently wrote to all parents to reassure them regarding the availability of toilets at the school.  There are more than enough toilets available at the school for the number of students and sufficient toilets are available for all students at all times.  Students are, however, discouraged from going to the toilet during lesson times.  We will be writing to parents once again to reiterate our position in this matter." 

The protest at Great Sankey is not an isolated incident as it seems other schools across the country have put in similar restrictions, with two schools in South Essex also seeing pupils walk out in a toilet protest.