School toilets are rarely big news, but they’ve been hitting the headlines more and more over recent years.
It started back in 2021, with a parent and student revolt over the use of security cameras, leaving students too ‘mortified’ to use the facilities.
Then, in February of this year, pupils from a Staffordshire school were left to suffer humiliating mishaps as trips to the loo were banned during lesson time without access to a special medical pass.
Next, April saw outraged students protesting up and down the country as several schools upped the level of toilet surveillance. No cameras this time, but still slammed as a ‘gross invasion of privacy’ as teachers stood as door monitors, marking down pupils entering and leaving.
Every school questioned defended their actions as a bid to reduce truancy levels and enhance student safety. Highlight how, when it comes to the safety of school toilets, the best of intentions can easily backfire.
The issue
Going to the toilet is personal and private.
Every user needs to feel safe and secure – and ensuring that security without violating student privacy is a delicate balancing act.
Pupil safety is paramount and trying to counter issues with bullying and vandalism can leave schools feeling like there are limited options.
The answer
In reality, there is no simple solution.
The responses from all the schools making the headlines were the same – actions were taken to ensure school toilets were a safe space for students. So how can safety be improved without sacrificing privacy?
Guidelines for the use of CCTV are vague, but there are basic steps you can take to make sure it’s used responsibly. Firstly, it’s important to consider people’s privacy and rights. Communicating to students why, where, and how CCTV is being used, so there’s a level of understanding, is also valuable.
Positioning cameras at the entrance to toilets rather than within them is a way to strike a happy medium.
User confidence and comfort levels can also be increased by ensuring all toilets have usable locks. Doors that are easy to secure yet permit access should it be required – for a medical emergency or a young child getting locked in, for example – are ideal in school settings. This means entry can be gained without causing damage or incurring additional costs.
It’s also important to ensure each cubicle is fully secure and private – no holes, cracks, or gaps in loose-fitting panels.
Clear signage is a further way to improve things, taking the guesswork and worry out of a trip to the loo.
Perhaps one of the best ways to enhance toilet safety, though, is to engage fully with the students themselves.
Hold workshops, create online polls, or set up a suggestion box – however you go about it, seeking the input of students is a great idea. They are the first-hand users and will have the best insight into what will work.
Engaging with them to share ideas on how to increase safety and security will also reduce the risk of any fallout (or unwanted headlines!) if changes aren’t well received.
How can MP Fittings help?
At MP Cubicles and Fittings, we specialise in toilet cubicles and toilet cubicle hardware.
Offering an extensive range of hardwearing, durable cubicles, ideal for securing privacy and creating a safe and secure environment in school toilets.
Complement these with our range of hardware – including the highly recommended Burstcatch lock – and you can make excellent progress towards enhancing school toilets.
Shop online now, or to discuss your school toilet requirements in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.