Nappy changer employed by infant school because some pupils not toilet-trained

‘Many parents have not been taking responsibility in making sure their children are ready for school’

Several headteachers believe a number of the children at their schools are between two to three years behind in development (Getty/iStock)

An infant school has employed a nappy changer because some of its pupils have not been toilet-trained, a councillor has stated.​

Chris Towe, councillor for Pheasey Park Farm in Walsall, West Midlands, has warned that many children are starting school having not learned basic skills from their parents.

Mr Towe, who is also the portfolio holder for education on the Walsall Council, said that it is “not acceptable” that children as old as five are starting school having not been taught how to use a toilet.

According to the councillor, the hiring of a nappy changer at the unnamed school is just one example of children at schools in the West Midlands not being taught basic skills at an appropriate age.

Mr Towe said that several schools in the region have informed him that some of their pupils are also unable to communicate efficiently, nor hold a pencil properly in the classroom.

“I was quite shocked really,” Mr Towe told the BBC. “If they haven’t got basic skills, how can they be educated?”

Having spoken to headteachers from 80 infant and primary schools, Mr Towe stated that the lack of basic skills among children attending the academic institutions is a “massive issue”.

Mr Towe recently spoke at a meeting of the Walsall Council, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

At this meeting, the councillor stated that several of the headteachers whom he spoke to believe a number of the children at their schools are between two to three years behind in development.

“Clearly, over the years, many parents have not been taking responsibility in making sure their children are ready for school,” Mr Towe said.

The Conservative-run council plans to send letters to parents articulating the basic skills children need to learn.

However, Diana Coughlan, a Labour councillor, isn’t certain sending a letter will make a significant difference to vulnerable families.

“For many parents, school readiness is simple not a priority for them so apart from simply sending a letter what other support will they be given?” Ms Coughlan said.

In 2016, a survey for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found that there had been a “huge increase“ in the number of primary school children not toilet-trained.

According to the research, 70 per cent of primary school teachers had noticed an increase in the number of children aged between three and seven wetting or soiling themselves while at school.