Children are refusing to go to the toilet at a primary school after the facilities were made gender neutral, with parents launching a petition calling for change.

Parents say the toilets at Deanesfield Primary School, in Ruislip, don’t have floor to ceiling cubicle walls, meaning fellow pupils are able to spy on children in neighbouring stalls.,

Parents have begun collecting signatures at the school gates in an attempt to force the school to reverse the change, reports MyLondon.

And according to parents, some children are sufficiently embarrassed by sharing toilets that they are refusing to pee while at school.

One unnamed parent said: “Making the toilets unisex isn’t the issue for me, it’s the fact they haven’t followed the guidelines, which state that unisex toilets must have cubicle walls from floor to ceiling.

“They haven’t done this and there’s already been cases of boys looking over the tops at girls on the toilet. Children are so inquisitive at school age.

“Girls are being forced to hold themselves until they get home which could damage kidneys. My friend’s daughter has been holding herself all day because she’s so embarrassed. It’s not fair on the kids really.”

They added: “We as parents have not even been notified of the change which is a bit wrong.”

A spokesman from Deanesfield Primary School said: “We will be communicating with our parents about the changes made to the school toilets as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, if parents have any worries about their child, then staff are here to provide support.”