PUPIL power has prevailed at a Poole secondary school following a revolt about unisex toilets.

Schoolchildren arriving for the start of term at the newly revamped Ashdown Technology College were “unhappy” when they discovered they had to use unisex toilets.

The school campus on Canford Heath has undergone a £15 million makeover as part of the Borough of Poole's plans to change the age of transfer in 2013.

These plans have seen the traditional toilet blocks removed and new individual unisex toilet facilities installed for all pupils and teachers to use.

But following complaints from parents and pupils, the school says it has decided to identify the new washrooms as either male, female or staff.

One upset parent said many pupils were so unhappy about the new toilets they refused to use them.

“I am absolutely dumfounded that someone has allowed this to happen in this day and age.

“I just don't think it's right as girls don't want to share toilets with boys and visa versa. My daughter says she feels very awkward about it and won't use them which is not healthy.”

Ashdown was put into special measures in February after inspectors branded it “inadequate”.

The school underwent its first monitoring inspection under interim headteacher Ian Cox in early July but Ofsted reported back that their progress was again “inadequate”.

Mr Cox said the individual washrooms, containing toilet, wash basin, hand dryer, mirror and disposal units, were introduced in the new buildings following consultation with students during the design process.

He added: “Students told us they wanted to move away from traditional toilet blocks and instead have facilities that allowed them more privacy and provided less opportunity for bullying and vandalism.

“However, following feedback from pupils, parents and staff since the start of term, we will be identifying each washroom as either male, female or staff with immediate effect.”