Dozens of people have signed a petition urging a school to remove a gate installed to stop pupils from using a toilet block during lesson time.

It has reportedly made children at Herne Bay High feel like they are in a “prison”.

But principal Jon Boyes has doubled down on the policy, introduced this term, which has been dubbed a “human rights violation” by one critic.

He says the gate has only been installed in one set of toilets and is part of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of pupils.

However, some parents say their children are “not animals to be caged in” and describe the move as “bureaucratic madness”.

The petition, which has more than 100 signatures, was launched on Tuesday - the first day back at school.

“Herne Bay High has chosen to lock the school toilets by putting a yellow gate in front of the entrance,” it says.

“This has affected many pupils and parents.

“It is making pupils feel like they are more in a prison rather than a school.”

The petition says youngsters should “not have to feel like this” and calls for the gate to be removed.

“They should be able to feel comfortable in school and know they can use the toilets when needed,” it adds.

“If we sign this petition we can hopefully change this and get the gates taken down.

“This will make students feel free around the school and will not have to worry about the toilets being locked up.”

But the school’s principal has defended the use of the gate.

“Each year we evaluate how the school operates,” Mr Boyes said.

“We have opened a new pastoral centre and expanded our wellbeing and safeguarding teams to ensure we continue to give the very best care to all our students and families.”

Mr Boyes says pupils can still use the toilets in the pastoral centre whenever they like during lessons and do not require a pass to do this.

“These toilets are staffed at all times to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils,” he added.

“All pupils have been made aware of this information through assemblies.

“Any child on our school roll with a medical condition has free access to the toilets at any time during the day and is not impacted at all by this one set of toilets being shut.”

He says the toilets which are now gated are only one set of “many” on the site.

“They are open and staffed at break and lunchtime when demand is high,” he said.

Mr Boyes says there were not any specific incidents which triggered the gate being installed and declined to comment on the petition.

“We have had three parents contact us directly and the overwhelming feedback from parents online has been supportive of the school for taking these measures,” he added.

But many other parents are backing the petition.

Mary Deamer commented: “Some kids have weak bladders and they aren't animals to be caged in.”

Camille Belsey said: “Our children are not animals. If they need to use the toilet they should be allowed at any time of the day.”

Malcolm Ganderton wrote: “It is more bureaucratic madness in a school that has some very strange ideas.”

Clary Lucas said: “It is a human rights violation. The children must have access and privacy to the bathroom.”