Bog Standard LogoPromoting better toilets for pupils

Adults Area

Designers & Architects - Ideas for combating vandalism

Some of the architects and schools that we have spoken to argue that there is no point investing in toilets as pupils wreck them. Therefore, you might as well build as cheaply as possible. There are pupils who vandalise toilets, but ideally we should design for the majority of pupils who deserve decent toilets, not the minority.

  • Solid plastic panels for partitions that are bolted together with tamper-proof fasteners
  • Cubicle doors with sturdy hinges and double bracing on both sides
  • Push-button or foot-operated flushes
  • Concealed plumbing systems with tamper proof fastenings
  • Automatic running taps
  • Smoke alarms - wired to the school office.
  • Where toilet blocks are still used, a toilet attendant/cleaner could supervise a set of adjoining toilets. Or a wash room could be unisex with separate cubicle areas for girls and boys. See case studies.
  • CCTV at the entrance to the toilet or in the washroom area (provided it doesn't see into the cubicles or urinals). Cameras must be fixed firmly enough so that pupils can't turn or remove them. It is advisable to consult with pupils on the use of CCTV as it is a contentious issue
  • Entry systems which take photos of pupils entering the toilets at the main entrance/exit when a button is pressed. It is advisable to consult with pupils on this issue
  • A ‘unisex’ toilet (in addition to single-sex toilets) which has separate areas for boys and girls, but mixed washrooms. An attendant can monitor the toilets better this way.
  • Individual toilets discourage pupils from hanging around in them (and offer extra privacy).
  • Toilet pods which are manufactured in a seamless material

The advantage of using CCTV, filmed entry systems and ‘unisex’ toilets is that pupils’ toilets can remain open during the day. Some schools currently lock the toilets for part of the day.

Back to top

Back to homepage
Back to main Designers & Architects page


Talking Toilets