Promoting
better toilets for pupils| |
Design
"The very fact that some [toilets] are adequate – or
even fantastic – proves the point that there is really no
excuse for the nasty school loos I so regularly hear about. It's
just a question of taking responsibility, making it a priority and
involving children and young people.” Not surprisingly, children are very interested in how schools are designed. More than 15,000 primary and secondary school pupils told the Education Guardian in 2001 about the school of their dreams (’The School I'd Like’). The children pointed out that small changes could make a big difference, like having drinking water in every classroom and decent toilets that they can use when they need to without being shouted at. The issue of toilets was mentioned in nearly every one of the 15,000 competition entries. School Councils UK reports that in 2011 school toilets still dominate pupil complaints. This section is for people who are involved
in the planning, design and refurbishment of school toilets. There
are: You can also print off a factsheet about toilet design or read about problems that many pupils still face. The right design Well designed and attractive toilets are a tangible demonstration of respect for pupils. With the right design, layout and choices of finishes and fixtures, school can create toilets which are not only attractive but also safe, durable and low maintenance. Open, bright and attractive toilets will encourage pupils to value themselves and their facilities. Great toilets lift the spirits. Back in 2004 the government called on architects and designers to provide pupils with "high quality modern school buildings, with the latest integrated ICT systems…imaginative and sustainable school buildings, tailored to local needs and aspirations" (page 1). "The school community must be part of the design process and it is beneficial to let pupils express their views.... Pupils have clear ideas about what would make their school, better, focusing on areas that are particularly important to them, including toilets and space to socialise, as well as the colour, shape and even sounds of the school environment" (page 10). Bog Standard considers that the provision of quality and conveniently located toilets and drinking water should come well before the "latest integrated ICT systems". Pupils' satisfaction with their environment can affect behaviour and self-esteem, and ultimately willingness and ability to learn. All pupils should feel their needs are respected. Furthermore, improvements in toilet design and standards would be cost effective, preventing or alleviating future consequential urinary, bowel and kidney problems and outbreaks of infectious diseases. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, wrote in his Third Annual Report, 2010: "In a time of financial uncertainty we should be focusing efforts and budgets on getting the basics right for children.... Whilst difficult (financial) decisions need to be made within schools priority must now be given to putting (toilets) right so that children don’t continue to have dignity and respect denied." Government guidance on school toilets The guidelines ’Toilets in Schools’, published by the Department of Education (formerly DfES) in 2007, contains design solutions, drawn up after wide consultation over two years. Although aimed primarily at secondary schools, they contain features that may be of benefit to schools with younger children. The guidelines shows how design can be improved to address a number of common failings in school toilet provision and includes strategies for effective maintenance and operation of toilets. In the guidance, one potential design solution is open-plan hand washing areas - easily visible from outside the washroom area and open to circulation and ideally sited near adult areas. The hand wash area can be unisex. The guidance does not favour unisex toilets, as wrongly reported in the media. The advantages of open-plan hand-washing areas include:
The Toilets in Schools guidance can be downloaded here. Resources There are various resources that may be useful. Architects and designers will be familiar with Building Bulletins, Building Regulations, British Sanitary Installation Standards and Supplementary Standards and Information. For a list, see pages 46 and 47 of the Toilets in Schools guidance. Regulations and guidance may change so schools should ensure they read the latest editions. Involving the pupils We know that, when it comes to school toilet design, there are as many opinions as there are architects. We believe that talking to pupils and involving them in design and management decisions will help to address the specific problems that they're facing in their schools - and will help sustain the toilets in the long term. Budget is always a consideration, of course, but quality and pupil involvement will usually engender respect and mean the toilets last longer. The knock-on effects on children’s health and wellbeing is also important. We're aware that some adults (teachers, governors, architects, Local Authorities and Private Finance Initiative [PFI] companies) will object to some of these ideas as being impractical. Fearful that pupils' wishes will be heady and unrealistic? You can find out here what over a thousand children and young people told us they want from school toilets. The answers may surprise you. We have developed these suggestions and ideas with a view to putting the pupils' needs first; a view that some adults may still overlook. If you would like to contact us with ideas for good school toilet design, your own experiences, or any other comments and suggestions, we would love to hear from you. Use our feedback form or phone 0117 960 3060
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