THIS week we saw students protesting at a school in Cornwall about a change to the way in which they're supposed to take their toilet breaks. 

Protests have been reported from schools across the Duchy, with students protesting a range of issues from when they're allowed to go to the toilet to how they're treated by some members of staff and skirt-length inspections.

Student protests are not a new phenomena, but, at what point do we stop and listen to the kids? How old do they have to be until their opinions are taken into account?

The idea that female students should be singled-out and made to ask for a 'red card' to go to the toilet when on their period is cruel and belongs only in the pages whatever dystopian fiction novel it was plucked out of to begin with. 

To think that there are schools in Cornwall who believe they have to right to not only dictate when it is appropriate for female students to deal with their periods, but force them to publicly announce that's what they'll be doing, sends a shiver down this Skipper's spine. 

Schools are supposed to be places where kids are taught to respect and be compassionate towards each other, and yet, how do we expect them to understand that when they themselves are not shown compassion or respect?