When I taught, that rule applied from yr 3 up. You can tell if someone is genuinely desperate.

Gotta be harsh or the kids will take the pish. Anything to get out of lessons.

Edited by nickgusset (11 Dec 2017 1.16pm)

kids ralfing over their desk was the worse.
probably been sent in under 'you cant fool me , I know you're not really ill'
either hearing that blurgh noise and the green vom all over the desk or coming into the classroom with the sawdust down and the awful milky vom smell for the whole lesson.

Kids,tired of being bothered by your pesky parents?
Then leave home, get a job & pay your own bills, while you still know everything.

By 10-11 years they should know, but should be able to tell if they are desperate.

It could also be a sign of something far more serious.

"Everything is air-droppable at least once."

"When the going gets tough, the tough call for close air support."

At primary school if they need to go, let them go.

At secondary school, let them go if there is an issue.

Optimistic as ever

I can still recall a teacher that would flatly refuse to let anyone go and the poor girl who ended up pissing herself in front of the entire class, while the same teacher was shouting at her "why didn't you say you needed to go?"

And if I was a teacher I'd sooner they miss a few minutes of class than having to clear it up/carry on teaching in a piss stinking classroom.

Some kids still wet the bed well after you'd expect it to have stopped.

Optimistic as ever

It's not that simple for some kids, like I said some still wet the bed years after you'd expect it to stop and some just cannot control their bladder very well. If they aren't asking it all the time, then better for all concerned to just let them.

I agree that the parent should ask their child if they need the toilet before leaving school. I've seen parents letting their boys take a leak at the side of the road no less than 5 minutes and 100 yards from the school.

Optimistic as ever