Instead of the little boys' or powder rooms, pupils at the town's Worden Sports College in Leyland have to share a colour-coded communal toilet area.

And it will be watched by CCTV.

While staff and pupils at the Leyland school say the new style washroom is a vast improvement on the previous toilets, the £85,000 project has raised concerns among some parents.

School manager Jacqui Leach said there have been some concerns from pupils and parents, but stressed they were in the minority and all parents were being invited in to have a look for themselves.

The new-look block, which consists of two separate rows of cubicles containing toilets and urinals, fits in with the government's guidance on tackling bullying. It is the only toilet block for pupils.

Staff say the much-needed improvements strike a balance between security and privacy.

The student council carried out a survey about the condition of the original toilets.

After visiting a school in Stockport, which introduced communal lavatories in 2000, the pupils put together a representation for the governors.

Pupil Myka Gleave said: "We did an assembly for years seven, eight and nine and everyone thought it was a good idea.There was just the odd moan."

Headteacher Sue Rignall said: "The toilets were highlighted as an area that needed refurbishment so Jacqui decided to do some research and things went from there."

Jacqui Leach added: "The ethos is to make everybody safe, happy and comfortable. It is not full-on unisex because there is still a small wall with sinks on either side and the cubicles are on opposite sides in blue and pink.

"There's still the psychological effect of separation and the urinals are inside cubicles too. In the old cubicles, you could stand on the seat and look over, but these new ones are designed to provide maximum privacy."

She added that because the access was exposed, boys, in particular, were being more attentive to hygiene.

The school plans to install CCTV in the corridor to ensure youngsters do not hang around or cause trouble in the toilets.

The Government published standard specification design guidance on all aspects of school buildings – including school toilets – last April.

The guidance says wash areas should be communal to cut down on bad behaviour, but ultimately it is down to schools themselves to judge.

The reaction has been mixed. Paula Wilson, whose son Scott, 14, is in year 10, said: "This is the first I have heard of it. My son hasn't mentioned anything and I haven't seen a letter home.

"I think it is a bad idea. You don't want the other sex knowing what you are doing in the toilet, especially girls.

Former pupil Andrea Guinane, 41, said: "I don't think it is a very good idea. Girls at that age are developing. I'd have been horrified if they'd have brought this in."

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