PARENTS are "livid" over a school's toilet rule which makes girls ask for a "red card" if they're on their period.
The "disgusting" policy means pupils aren't allowed to use the bathroom during class time unless they obtain the special pass reserved for medical conditions or the "unexpected arrival" of menstruation.
Penrice Academy in St Austell, Cornwall, defended the decision, insisting it will minimise disruption to lessons.
But mums, dads and students have expressed their anger, even staging protests in the playground.
One parent said: "This is a total invasion of privacy.
"How embarrassing for a girl to have to show a red card in front of the whole class to be allowed to go to the toilet.
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"I'd be livid if my girls had to experience that at a young age.
"Girls have periods, they shouldn't have to prove it."
Another told of her daughter's first-hand experience with the new regulation.
They said: "My 12-year-old was dying for the toilet for over three hours because she wasn't allowed to go [during class] and didn't have time at lunch.
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"They only have 25 minutes, which is around a 15-minute wait and just 10 minutes to eat.
"I've told her that if she is ever refused the use of the bathroom for toileting or period needs then she is to get her things, walk out, ring me and come straight home.
"Its disgusting. It's a basic human function. When you need to go you need to go.
"Girls have a right to privacy. They shouldn't have to 'prove' they are having a period.
"I'm a grown woman in my 40s and even I would be mortified at the thought of having to do that in front of other people, including men."
Aside from the divisive red card, other parents are concerned about the health implications of restricting toilet use.
One said: "I am aware that some students are not drinking during the day so that they don't need to use the toilet during lessons.
"How dangerous is that for a young person's health? Not drinking during the day time for five days a week."
Girls have a right to privacy. They shouldn't have to 'prove' they are having a period.
The school said 'red card period passes' can be requested ahead of time for pupils to keep in their bags and used when required.
A spokesperson insisted teachers would never prevent pupils from going to the loo if they were desperate.
Defending the scheme, headteacher Lucy Gambier said: "Penrice students are welcome to use the toilet facilities at the start of the day, in between lessons, at breaktimes, lunchtimes, and at the end of the day.
"This equates to six opportunities throughout the day, spaced no more than 75 minutes apart at any one time.
''This policy is in place to maximise learning time and minimise disruption to teaching.
"There are, of course, exceptions such as medical conditions and unexpected arrival of periods.
"Toilet passes can be obtained by students who require flexibility or peace of mind."
James Hammersley, the assistant headteacher, added: "We understand that girls cannot always plan for the arrival of their periods which may take place during lessons.
"With this in mind, girls can request red period pass cards via their tutors which they can keep in their bags to use when required.
"This system has always proven successful, and many Penrice girls already know of and make use of the cards.
''Crucially, this system operates on trust, and is monitored to ensure that the cards are used appropriately."
'LIKE A PRISON'
Furious protests erupted at the school yesterday as pupils revolted over the rule change.
Video shared on social media showed hundreds of kids at Penrice Academy scaling fences and chanting: "Toilet, toilet."
Pupils also screamed screamed: "Give us human rights, give us our toilet rights."
One mum said: "They've broken fences, pulled down goalposts and trashed bins. Kids are running off out of school."
A student added: "It was originally meant to be a peaceful protest but it escalated relatively fast.
"People started flipping tables and climbing fences."
Trouble also broke out at schools across Essex with teenagers at Bromfords School in Wickford, Castle View School on Canvey Island, and Chase High School in Southend, all demonstrating about changes to the toilet policy.
Elsewhere, Richmond School in North Yorkshire and The Farnley Academy in Leeds saw mass protests and refusal to attend lessons for similar reasons.
Natalie Hennessy, who is a nurse and has a son in Year 9, said: "My son, who is a high achiever, is so fed up with the way he's being treated.
"He says he feels manipulated all the time and the school is like a prison."
Videos of children demonstrating outside Haven High Academy, in Boston, Lincolnshire, over similar toilet use rules appeared on TikTok yesterday.
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And complaints were made about Cullompton Community College, which has removed toilet doors to "combat bullying".
Meanwhile The Warriner School in Banbury, Oxfordshire, was forced to close on Friday after a mutiny by students over a ban on girls wearing skirts and a "gender neutral" PE kit.
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