Bog Standard - Information section - Designers and Architects

Promoting better toilets for Pupils

Designers & Architects - Current Problems

In schools around the country, pupils face many problems when it comes to their toilets. A lot of these problems are due to poor layout, bad design and/or inadequate materials. They include:

Inadequate number of toilets
Inconvenient location
Not enough individual toilet cubicles for boys
Multi-user (trough) urinals which can be intimidating and lack privacy
Old and run-down toilet areas
Flimsy cubicle partitions/doors (insufficient sound barrier)
Smelly and dirty facilities
Dirty and littered floors
Restricted access e.g. access at breaks only, restricted access even at breaks, toilets locked during lessons/breaks (usually due to fears of vandalism/smoking – problems perpetuated by anonymous gang toilets), lack of breaks which means that pupils not allowed out during lessons have few opportunities to use the toilets. ‘Access’ refers both to allowing pupils to go to the toilet when they need to and providing facilities that are suitable for use by all pupils, including those with special needs
Poorly maintained e.g. broken or no toilet seats, seats not securely attached, no toilet chain, toilets don't flush or are difficult to flush
Lack of privacy e.g. inadequately locking doors or no locks at all, doors and partitions too short so other pupils can peer under/over or gaps wide enough for pupils to see through
Locks that open easily from the outside
Pupils scared of getting locked into cubicles with faulty locks
Lack of toilet paper or hard shiny "tracing paper"
Toilet roll dispensers broken
Inadequate toilet roll dispenser holders
Lack of sanitary products/disposal facilities for menstruating girls; girls unable to manage periods with adequate privacy
Lack of facility for disposal of incontinence products
Avoiding using the toilets e.g. put off by poor condition or intimidating behaviour
Toilets commandeered by bullies, smokers.
Demeaning arrangements: e.g. having to ask staff for toilet paper at each visit, ask for the key, ask for permission even at break, wear or carry a toilet pass, timed toilet visits
Vandalism, graffiti e.g. toilet paper/paper towels stuck on ceilings
No disabled toilet facilities or inappropriate in layout and location
Inadequate hand washing facilities e.g. water too hot or only cold water available, no soap and no hand drying facilities, or roller towels/dryers set at inappropriate height for users

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Talking Toilets