**Concerns Raised Over Restricted Toilet Access for Schoolgirls Amid Vandalism Issues in Caerphilly**
A wave of concern has swept across Caerphilly after it emerged that numerous local schools have imposed restrictions on pupils’ access to toilets during the school day. The policy stems from ongoing challenges with vandalism and disruptive behaviour, particularly incidents involving the deliberate blocking of toilets with sanitary products.
The matter was brought into focus during a recent Caerphilly County Borough Council cabinet meeting. At the heart of the discussion was a proposal to introduce token-operated vending machines to distribute period products, as part of a wider initiative to improve menstrual hygiene for students. The approach being considered would give girls direct access to sanitary products via automated dispensers, potentially circumventing the need for unscheduled visits to the toilets.
Members of the Caerphilly Youth Forum, which has championed toilet access as its top priority this year, addressed the council to highlight the urgent need for change. The forum stressed the importance of trusting pupils, especially girls, to use toilets responsibly as a matter of dignity and personal well-being. Forum members argued that ensuring better access is vital, particularly for those managing their periods, given that the prohibition on bags in toilets can make managing periods especially difficult and distressing.
Highlighting the unique challenges faced by younger students, the Youth Forum noted the particular confusion felt by Year 7 pupils, who often transition from primary schools with more relaxed bathroom policies to stricter regimes in secondary settings. This change, they argued, can have negative impacts on students’ comfort and ability to manage their health needs discreetly.
Youth Forum coordinator Lee Kabza shared details of earlier meetings with a company supplying sanitary products to schools. During these discussions, the concept of ‘period dignity’ took centre stage, underscoring the importance of policies that allow students to address their health needs without embarrassment or unnecessary restrictions.
At the council meeting, it was revealed that other schools across the country use a token-based system, allowing pupils to collect one period product at a time from designated machines. Mr Kabza suggested that such an approach could mitigate problems with vandalism, providing young people with what they need while maintaining some oversight of usage and discouraging misuse of facilities.
Support for the Youth Forum’s campaign was reinforced by Councillor Jamie Pritchard, the council’s deputy leader. He pointed out that improved access to school toilets has gained strong backing from local young people, with approximately 800 individuals within the community endorsing it as a priority. Cllr Pritchard emphasised the importance of listening to youth voices and urged schools to acknowledge the real-life impacts of current policies.
In response, the council’s cabinet voted unanimously to explore ways in which they could support the Youth Forum’s aims in the months ahead. While no changes have yet been mandated, the council’s openness to reconsidering the rules marks a significant step forward in ongoing dialogue.
The conversation in Caerphilly mirrors wider debates across the UK about ensuring access to essential facilities in schools, balancing safeguarding and property management with pupils’ privacy and health rights. Educational experts warn that limiting bathroom access, particularly for girls, can affect attendance and concentration, whilst also exacerbating anxiety.
As discussions continue, the Youth Forum hopes to meet with senior headteachers later this year to advocate for policy changes that would ensure dignity and safety for all pupils. The development has sparked dialogue between parents, educators, and policymakers, illustrating the growing recognition of the need for compassionate, practical approaches within school environments.