A 15-year-old girl from Pentyrch has withdrawn from mainstream schooling after claiming she was repeatedly denied permission to use the toilet during lessons — including when she was on her period.
Holly Hicks, who was diagnosed with autism two years ago, left Radyr Comprehensive School in early 2024 while in Year 9. She is now being home educated and preparing for her GCSEs online.
Speaking about her experience, Holly said the restrictions around toilet access left her feeling humiliated, especially during her period. She described long-standing issues with locked facilities and overcrowded cubicles, which made managing her menstrual health at school extremely difficult.
“When I’ve asked to go to the toilet because I’ve started my period before, I’ve been told ‘you have to wait until break’,” Holly said. “But at break time, the toilets are so crowded you can’t get in there, and maybe you don’t want to change your pad and stuff when everyone is in there.”
She added that while she understood the school’s concerns around antisocial behaviour — such as vaping and lesson-skipping in the toilets — she believes this should not come at the expense of pupils’ dignity and wellbeing.
“At my school a few of the toilets were locked, and often just some were accessible,” she said. “The toilets are always busy, and always dirty. Some were open, some were closed. Often the entire block where the toilets are located are locked, so you can’t get in to the building to access toilets. I understand the reasons why the school made these decisions but it also isn’t fair.”
Holly described how the process of accessing period products was cumbersome and distressing: “If you didn’t have any products, you’d have to go to the office to ask for them. Depending on where you were, you’d have to speak to a teacher — sometimes a male teacher — and they’d get a key and go with you to a cupboard. It’s this whole big process just to get a pad, so it makes you not want to be in school.”
She recalled occasions where friends bled through their uniforms due to being denied timely access to facilities, describing the experience as “horrible”.
Her mother, Jo Wallace, a former pupil of the same school, said her daughter’s difficulties were compounded by her autism, which made regulating emotions and sensory stress during the day especially challenging.
“Holly is still officially registered at the school but now has an online tutor at home which costs hundreds a month,” Ms Wallace said. “If she had her period she could never access the toilet when she needed to. Toilets were locked during lessons and even with a toilet pass she had to get someone to open it.”
Ms Wallace said she hopes Holly can return to school one day, but only if changes are made.
In response, Cardiff Council said it was working to find practical solutions that balance safeguarding with pupil needs. A spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the challenges some schools face in keeping toilet facilities free from anti-social behaviour and ensuring safeguarding, which may lead to restricted use during the day. However, we are committed to working with schools to find solutions that ensure pupils can access toilets when needed.”
The council highlighted its investment of over £1 million through the Period Dignity initiative, aimed at combating stigma, tackling period poverty, and improving school toilet facilities. The scheme includes the distribution of free period products in secondary and primary schools, as well as the installation of dispensers in toilets to allow pupils to access items discreetly.
The Welsh Government also reiterated its stance, stating that toilet policies are governed at school level, but guidance is clear: facilities should be open and accessible throughout the school day.
“We provide clear guidance to schools that toilets should be open and accessible to all learners throughout the school day,” a government spokesperson said.
The issue extends beyond individual schools. A new survey published this week by hygiene company phs Group and menstrual health charity Irise International found that one in six teachers across England, Wales and Scotland admitted to stopping a student on their period from going to the toilet during lessons. One in four of those students said it led to serious consequences, including bleeding through their uniforms.
Teachers cited vaping (48%), truancy (46%), and bullying (27%) as their main concerns about toilet misuse. However, the findings suggest current toilet policies may be contributing to increased pupil absence, particularly among girls during their periods.
The report also welcomed the release of Irise International’s Toilet Policy Toolkit, a new resource aimed at helping schools design inclusive, respectful toilet access policies shaped by the voices of young people.
As policymakers and educators continue to grapple with competing priorities, Holly’s story is a stark reminder that the basic dignity of pupils — particularly those navigating periods or living with additional needs — must remain central to any solution.
