Holly Harrison, 15, said she was temporarily excluded after organising the protest

A secondary school has been branded a 'prison camp' by a parent after 38 pupils were excluded for protesting against 'humiliating' toilet restrictions.

Some 40 students are said to have gone on strike on Friday over claims the toilets were locked and water fountains turned off apart from at lunch and break times.

The angry pupils from Bedale High School in North Yorkshire claim they have been left 'desperate' to visit the bathroom during classes.

Some 'mortified' girls have even claimed they started bleeding through their uniforms and onto seats after their periods started unexpectedly.

The school, which received a 'requires improvement' Ofsted rating last November, has issued a new behavioural code to ensure students are focused.

But disgusted parents and students claim this has left teachers 'too scared to let pupils go to the toilet' - and police officers attended the school last week after the demonstration began.

Student Holly Harrison, 15, said she was temporarily excluded after organising the protest and said many girls had been left 'humiliated' and upset by the rules.

She said: 'We came back from half term last Monday to find that the rules were being enforced and no one was being allowed to go to the bathroom.

'People ended up just walking out of class because they were desperate and they were sent to the isolation room.

Notification: Holly, whose letter from the school informing her mother of her exclusion is pictured, said many girls had been left 'humiliated' and upset by the rules

'We were all sick of it. We didn't want to explain to male teachers why we needed the toilet - it was uncomfortable. Some girls had bled on to the seats

'They were mortified that they had to sit there for the rest of the lesson. My friend was threatened with isolation if she left the classroom.

'Parents had rung up and written letters to the headteacher but she didn't listen, so we decided to protest because we were so sick of not being listened to.

'We had tried to explain why we were against it and we said it calmly at first, but we weren't getting anywhere with it. Now pupils have been excluded for this.

'It's disgraceful when we have our GCSEs in 10 weeks' time. But it wasn't just upper school that were protesting - even some year sevens had joined in.'

Emma Cox, whose 14-year-old son Tyler is a pupil at the school and has special educational needs, claims the new rules have made her son dread going to school and left him vulnerable to bullying.

A recent letter from Bedale High School outlining some of the new rules that are now in place

Ms Cox claims water fountains at the school turned off to prevent pupils from drinking water and therefore needing the toilet during lesson times.

The mother-of-three said: 'The pupils are saying it's turning into a prison camp.I understand the Ofsted report was obviously pretty horrific.

Holly said students 'ended up just walking out of class because they were desperate and they were sent to the isolation room'

'But the more parents and pupils have expressed their concerns, the more the school have stamped down on it.

'Where are the children's human rights? You wouldn't put a dog in a position like this - I feel so sorry for all the kids.

'My son has a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, learning difficulties, and ADHD and he is supposed to be able to drink and use the toilet during the day.

'I called the school and they said I need a medical note to say he needs to use the bathroom, but that's just setting him apart from all the other kids.

'It opens him up to bullying. They are supposed to be an inclusive school but I don't see this issue getting any better if these rules continue. And what about the teachers?

'Are they expected to only take two toilet breaks per day? I just want help for the children. No wonder some of them never want to go to school.

'I can't help but think of the health ramifications of all this. Most people know that you have to keep hydrated to stay focused.'

Another pupil, who didn't wish to be named, said: '[When you're desperate] it does eventually start hurting.

Bedale High School (above) in North Yorkshire recently introduced 'a new behavioural code as part of an action plan to improve teaching and learning in the school', the local council said

'It seems to me as if these rules have been nailed down with the teachers to make them scared to let us go out [to the toilet].'

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'North Yorkshire Police was alerted to a protest involving students at Bedale High School on Friday.

'PCSOs attended the school grounds and, after making enquiries, advised staff that this was not a police matter.'

And a North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said: 'Teaching and learning are continuing calmly in Bedale High School this week.

'Bedale High School recently introduced a new behavioural code as part of an action plan to improve teaching and learning in the school. This is supported as a positive step by the majority of parents and many students.

'The code includes a range of measures to ensure that students are focused and can get the most out of their lessons and wider school provision.

'Measures in the behaviour code include students having access to fresh drinking water at all times and being able to take bags into lessons so they have ready access to all the materials they need for learning.

'The code also includes tighter rules on uniform and on reducing the numbers of students outside of classrooms during lesson time.

Text notification: Some 40 students are said to have gone on strike on Friday over claims the toilets were locked and water fountains turned off apart from at lunch and break times

'As part of this the school has reminded students that toilets are freely accessible during specific periods at lunchtime and break time.

'At other times, such as during lessons, though toilets are not locked, students who need the toilet or need access for medical reasons are given access on request.

'The school has stated that families and students were fully informed of the new behaviour code before half term and that many have given supportive feedback.

'Due to a disruptive protest by a group of 40 students about the code last Friday, 38 were excluded from school for a fixed period. Students were only sent home when collected or after permission from parents or carers.

'One-to-one meetings have been held with a small number of concerned parents and with students this week which have mostly been very positive.

'Some students are being re-admitted to school; the length of exclusion for each student is a maximum of five days.

'The school has explained both to parents and to students in the review meetings, that though they understand students’ frustration, there are more constructive ways of expressing dissent.

'Bedale High is a school of 580 students and the vast majority have participated fully with their lessons and wider provision.'