A school has become the centre of a social media storm after it allegedly prevented students from going to the toilet during class.

Aylesford School Sports College has come under fire for the move, which was reportedly prompted by poor behaviour of some students.

Allegations from parents and students suggest pupils are no longer allowed to go to the toilet during lesson time, and often find they are still locked at break times as well.

A statement released on the Teapot Lane school's Facebook page said: "Toilet facilities are always available for all students, however due to inappropriate use by a small number of students it has become necessary to restrict access to toilet facilities during lesson times to the toilets in the Twickenham building.

"During break and lunch times all toilets are available. Please be assured that at no time will a student be denied necessary access to facilities."

Parents have criticised the move however, with allegations that one student has even been excluded from the school due to protesting the ban.

One parent said that their child had bemoaned the unsanitary state of the toilets, writing: "After discussion with my daughter this morning it would seem that there is a lack of hygiene facilities such as soap, bins are overflowing, and sanitary units are not being emptied."

Melanie Noble, whose 12-year-old daughter is in year 7 the school, told the Kent Messenger: "This school is breaching out children's human rights. They are not programmed to go to the toilet at the school's request, and what is worse is that girls at secondary school are going through changes.

"I can only imagine staff have free access to their own toilets, thus not actually making it a big deal to them as they are free to release their bladders at any given time."

The school has been approached for further comment.