PLANS for toilets at a new £15 million city primary school are to be reviewed following concern raised when it emerged they were set to be unisex
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Parents have now been told a layout will be arranged to hopefully allay any fears, involving consultation with the head teacher, Craig Connon, parents, carers and pupils themselves.
A “meet the head” meeting was held on Tuesday where the issue was raised and a Highland Council spokesperson said yesterday: “The council is reviewing plans to allow for further flexibility and options for the toilets at the new primary school at Ness Castle and Ness-side.
“There has been no decision made yet on the designation of the toilets, but the decision will be for the head teacher to agree along with the school’s parents, carers, and pupils.”
A number of parents had contacted the Courier last week to express concern about the absence of separate boys’ and girls’ toilets in the new school, which is still under construction.
Local councillor Alasdair Christie said: “The situation as told to parents by the head teacher is that some toilets will be designated for boys, some for girls, and some for everybody.
“My understanding is that parents feel reassured, although I wasn’t at Tuesday’s meeting.”
One parent said: “It is now open for discussion to reach a reasonable conclusion hopefully.”
Some parents had feared unisex arrangements could impact youngsters, particularly girls, at a sensitive stage in their development.
As well as mixing the sexes there were also concerns about all age groups within the primary school using the same facilities though nursery pupils also set to attend at the school would have separate toilets.
One parent said: “We need to teach our children how to develop healthy boundaries to protect their privacy and personal space, so they can protect themselves from predatory behaviour.
“Having a safe, female-only space is essential.
“For P1-3 children, going to the toilet on their own can be an unnerving experience, so to then be confronted by a 12-year-old from P7 would be intimidating.”
Highland Council said there is evidence that non-gender-based designs, now common in many new builds, can help to reduce bullying and other behavioural issues.
