Gateway Academy lunch and toilet breaks.

It’s disgusting and will lead to health problems!

Totally agree they need toilet breaks....I had them when I was at school never affected my education coz now I have a good job

This is disgraceful totally disgusting.

I will ask permission to say this in assembly

I can't believe that this is serious! You want the children to be able to go to the toilet when they want. Imagine if something happened your child in that toilet or if they decide to spend all of their day in there because of their 'bladder' problems. Worst still, we all no what teenagers are like! What if they get up to something not appropriate. Will that be the schools fault also.

Can you please not give your opinion as fact as you are not speaking for all students and parents.

The students of this Academy have such a good deal. My child loves lunchtime, he says there are loads of staff on duty to support the students and there is enough time to go to the toilet. Brilliant school!

You are stating your petition as fact when it is an opinion! I would suggest you change your posts to your opinion. Greta idea to let students do what they want in school and go to the toilet when they want. I wouldn't be surprised if the school decide to sue you. Maybe petition about something important like the lack of money in education and the lack of teachers to teach our children.

Agreed

That’s not what we want. Just longer breaks, I don’t even care if the school is going to be on for longer, I’m just tired from having to choose between not starving and going to the toilet. Girls only got one toilet open. There’s also a lady whose supposed to stand my the toilets and let people in, there are windows looking into the toilets so you get a clear view of the stalls. And during lesson, the teachers can send an email to another teacher to bring the student to the toilet, teachers simply just say they’ve got no time to send one email and call it a day. So if you’re a girl like me, who never asks to go toilet normally but now I gotta because I’m literally bleeding and the teacher says no, that’s tough cause I can’t do nothing.

Maybe that’s because boys have a bunch of toilets opened, while many girls such as myself have to choose between starving and having to hold my bladder in and bleed out because girls only got one toilet opened. I’ve also tried to speak about this, and I know many other kids tried to speak about this too but the teachers simply disregard our opinions and go about their day like it’s nothing. I’m not saying the school is bad, I’m saying that some sort of change must happen because this is ridiculous icl.

Yeah that’s good your son is happy. However i think that this idea that is being fed to children is unhealthy, having to choose between going eating food or going to the toilet. There’s actually only one girls toilets open at the school, and there’s a huge line to wait for. By the time I get the chance to use the bathroom, I have little time to get myself food, there’s been far too many instances where I had to quickly eat the food while I walk to class (teachers would shout at you if you eat food in the corridors but you gotta choose between being late or getting shouted at) there’s also been even more instances where there was simply no more food left. I’d go to the canteen to see that there’s not a crumb left so I’d go a day hungry without eating. It actually happened 3 days in a row now. I don’t even see any point of going to the canteen anymore, it’s always empty. The canteens are cramped too, I have to push around to get through. I’ve also tried to speak about this to the teachers but the teachers disregard our opinions because we’re kids. I don’t think that what the parents are doing is unreasonable and I think it’s quite fair. I’m also not saying that the school is bad and no one should go there, it’s a good school, some rules and things need to be changed though.

No one is bad mouthing the staff. The staff are alright. Some act nice when visitors are around but despite that, they’re alright. However it’s the conditions that the school puts onto the child. I’m currently studying at gateway and I know for a fact that there’s only one girls toilets opened there and I went home hungry 3 days in a row now. This has a negative impact on my diet and could severely impact my bladder. It’s weird that you say that you’d rather have your kids hold their bladder which may risk in resulting in getting a bladder infection. This has a severe consequence and one of my cousins actually got that. I do think I’m fortunate and this is an okay school, but it could be better. I mean, they can’t just not improve this too, it’s a good school, would be even better if they changed some things up a bit. Obviously.

I disagree with you. I find it hard to believe that you’re a student and not a teacher, cause “one big family” is what they all say. And only one toilet is opened for girls. And I went home hungry today cause there was no more food left so I really don’t know what you’re talking about. Also, nobody was insulting the staff and/or school, we are just stating facts. This obviously needs to be resolved which is why a petition is the most calm and non-violent way to do so. No one’s smashing the schools windows or drawing graffiti on walls or something like that, so I consider this peaceful. Do not say that majority feel the same way you do because I know lots and lots who feel the way I feel currently. Literally my sisters friends from year nine feel this way and so do I and my friends from year 10. In fact most of year 10 feels this way, idk abt the other years tho

Make lunch and break separate Aswell

I am a current student at the Gateway and if you actually speak to the majority of the students, the issues that you are complaining about are nothing like you are saying. Yes we have to queue for lunch, but after 5 or so minutes, there are no queues. The Year 7 students get an extra amount of time before the rest join them, so there is ample opportunity for them to eat. And I think a lot of parents & former students are forgetting that last year some of us were in a lunch break of 3 year groups, so it doesn't make that much of a difference. As for the toilets, there are so many that we can use at both breaks and lunches, as well as before and after school. Some kids are more interested in playing on the hardcourt which could be why they say that they've not been able to use the toilet. I love our school and will be sorry when it's time for me to leave. We are treated with respect and like one big family. Seeing the horrible comments that some are making about our school is hurtful, and not a true representation of how us students really feel

i have not long ago toured the school and can honestly say that its the best school ive seen. we all no that the kids of tilbury get a bad name and the school are doing everything they can to change that. the kids i saw and the staff were great. i would much rather my son learn how to hold his bladder than hang around in the toilets when he should be in his lessons. he isnt going to be learning anything from the toilet. I think that the teachers are getting a lot of bad press when infact they should be getting a ton of praise. their results are one of the best in the area. and who would have thought that about the kids from tilbury? my kids and grandkids wont be going anywhere else other than the gateway. thank you to mrs mcgloclin for everything you and your staff do for our kids. we are very grateful despite some of the other parents that all they like to do is moan

I hope that this will make a difference.

As stated before, I myself am not saying the school doesnt have amazing results, good opportunities and many things that work extremely well. The petition is solely aimed at the fact that children, whether some parents and clearly teachers who have commented agree or not are in fact choosing between food and toilet breaks. There shouldnt need to be a choice to make in the first place.. Just because the school has good points does not mean that whatever they're not succeeding in doesnt need addressing. Children are being left hungry if they choose the bathroom first, children are being made to wait far too long to relieve themselves and being denied toilet use at the end of the day. if a workplace locked the toilets and said no go home and use yours, good luck not peeing yourself there would be uproar from employees its as simple as that. Young girls are bleeding through their underwater whilst waiting to be escorted to a bathroom if or when another teacher has time. Ive had more than one parent say their child has peed themselves and been too embarrassed to say anything. over 200 people cant all be making it up. If you're child is totally happy and has no complaints then I for one am happy to hear that! But just because your child is fine doesnt mean everyones is, this is for those children. People keep saying we should focus on the good parts of the school.... Well I'm sorry but I dont want my child losing weight, coming home and almost not making it to the bathroom or being stressed about having nowhere to sit and rest whilst they rush their lunch as quick as they can when they do get it just because the school has good results and I certainly dont want them thinking thats okay in a workplace when theyre older either. No ones saying children should be allowed go wander during class at all, in fact if the breaks were longer and less rushed the majority of children wouldnt Need to go during class. Anyone who is against parents speaking up for their

I find the complaint about food unbelievable, as my child is often offered free food from what's left over in the canteen after lunch, ie: sandwiches, etc. My son tells me there are six different food counters to choose from on both breaks, and that year 7 students are served before the rest of the year groups descend in the canteen, so while it is busy, it isn't a huge rush. He has told me that he has four opportunities to use the bathroom in the six hours that he is in the building. Seriously, how is that unreasonable? There are three different toilet blocks open at breaks, with plenty of toilets. I truly think that for secondary school students, that is more than enough, as you wouldn't be given that in many work places. I am more than happy that there are several opportunities to use toilets throughout the day that are more than adequate! At lunchtime, after eating and using facilities, my son also attends the chess club with his friends. I would much rather this way than students consistently being allowed out of learning and missing valuable learning time to use toilets... In comparison to other Thurrock schools, Gateway is leading the way. Why are you all so negative? Isn't there enough negative news surrounding our local area? I think you should look at it as a cup that is half full rather than half empty. Smile.... Let's set an example for our kids of how to comply, adjust, and value what the school is doing for them. Big love Gateway thank you for all you do x