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Bedwas High School has informed parents it will be locking its toilets during lesson time due to pupils causing “significant damage”.

Described as a “decision we did not want to make” by headteacher Stephen Diehl, the school announced its decision via an open letter on Monday March 11.

Mr Diehl said the school had experienced “significant damage” to the toilets over the last 18 months, including to a recently refurbished set of toilets which cost a “substantial amount of money”. 

The headteacher continued: “While most of our pupils use the toilets as expected and during the appropriate times of break and lunch, we are still experiencing truancy, vandalism, graffiti, and vaping in our toilets.

“This has led us to make a difficult decision to lock the toilets during lesson time. A decision we did not wish to make but had to.”

Mr Diehl stressed those with a medical pass will still be able to use the toilets during lesson time, but that every other pupil will be “challenged” as to why they are using the toilet.

According to Mr Diehl, this will ensure teachers aren’t interrupted during lesson time, bathrooms are used for their “primary function” rather than meeting places, and to reduce potential damage, antisocial behaviour, and vaping.