[name of LEA]
[address of LEA]

For the attention of [name of Director of Education]

Dear [name of Director of Education e.g. Mr Bloggs]

Bog Standard – Better Toilets for Pupils

[Explain who you are, e.g. parent of a Year 7 pupil or health professional]. I am concerned about the effects of the substandard school toilets at [insert the name of the school that you're writing about] on children’s health and welfare, and I am writing to request your help in tackling this.

Many adults are unaware of the extent of problems surrounding school toilets, which are faced by pupils every day. These include:
1. Dirty, smelly toilets in a bad state of repair and with inadequate supplies of toilet paper, soap and hot water
2. Lack of privacy – doors that don’t lock, cubicles that can be peered over or under easily, urinals that can be viewed from outside the toilet area
3. Bullies and/or smokers hanging out in the toilets
4. Restricted access to toilets – only being allowed to go at break or not enough time allowed to go
5. Toilets inconveniently located and/or not accessible to pupils, including those with special needs

Many pupils will not use, or are reluctant to use the toilets at schools because of these issues. This can lead to poor drinking and toileting practices which can result in a number of health problems, such as:

1. Not drinking enough and becoming dehydrated can cause headaches, fatigue and poorer concentration as well as bladder and bowel problems, urinary and kidney infections.
2. Drinking most of their fluid intake when they get home, which can result in bedwetting.
3. Not going to the toilet when they need to can result in wetting problems, urinary and kidney infections, constipation and soiling.

I would like the [name of LEA] to put school toilets high on the priority list. I would like you to make it a requirement that any plans for new schools (or the refurbishment of existing schools) ensure that toilet provision has been a top priority. I enclose some suggestions for good practice for your consideration [you can print these out from the designers & architects page on the Bog Standard website]. Some of the main ones are:

• Having a toilet room for just one or two users, attached to each classroom or pair of classroom
• Investing in sturdy fixtures and fittings, to combat accidental damage and vandalism
• Ensuring pupils with special needs have access to suitable facilities
• Considering the general environment: for example, having a colourful mural on the wall
• Talking to local school children about their toilets and considering their ideas

I would also like you to assure me that the [name of LEA] carries out regular inspections of pupils' toilets, to ensure that they are well-maintained and provide appropriate facilities for the pupils who have to use them. I would also like to be assured that your authority takes steps to enforce the relevant Education and Health & Safety regulations. Ensuring decent toilet provision is part of the LEAs responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils (Education Act 2002).

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[your name]