Every child is different and every child will be different when it comes to when they are ‘ready’ for the toilet training stage. Some will say go cold turkey and just have them walk around with no pants etc and some will say to follow their regular toilet cues. Only you know your child best! But consistency is key.

Oh the pain. It is real. As per below, I world five it a good break. Do not even mention it for a month. But being summer soon, after a month, can you just not put pants on him. Or perhaps just put on swimmers so he can play in the water.. don’t even mention undies or nappies… just your bathers for water. Or say, is 2 hot for nappies today, just swimmers!

I would be consulting a paediatrician about this one. There may be some underlying issues and they may have some good insight and advice that could help. It sounds like you have already tried everything that I would have suggested. The only thing I can think of is letting him go without undies or a nappy when at home and see if he feels obligated to then go to the loo as there is nothing to hold the mess in.

I completely understand how you feel, I have four kids (older now) and so when one of them decides to do things differently it really throws you off.
I think you will be fine though. You are already getting him used to the idea of the potty and this will slowly become for comfortable an idea for him. You’ve done great aswell by checking in with the school.
Ideas that might help, maybe try explaining to him why it’s important he learns to use the potty/toilet. Ask him how he feels about it and why he doesn’t like it. Ask him what reward he would choose. Maybe get some potty story books or give him some examples of kids who are using the potty and make him want to be using the potty like them?
Hopefully something helps but I’m sure you will figure it out. One day he might just click and give it a go. When he does use it make sure to have a big song and dance about how great he did and how proud you are that he gave it a go.

Some kids are harder than others and many have an issue with sitting on the toilet. I know of kids that hide when they do a number 2 or want a nappy back on when it is happening. I wouldn’t push too hard, he may just not be ready. Give it a break for a month or two and start gently again. There are some good kids books out there to read with them,I recall one that had a flushing sound button. It might make it fun.