School life is full of rules – and not just for the students!
Ensuring the safety and welfare of pupils is a top priority and there are numerous regulations in place to ensure standards are adhered to.
One area where you might not expect quite so many rules though, is the toilets. But in fact, there’s no escape from the rule book here either – and nor should there be.
Going to the loo is a simple fact of life. Providing a clean, safe environment for students is essential, which is why there are strict guidelines in place around the provision of school toilets too.
Wondering how to improve facilities? Here the toilet cubicle experts from M&P Cubicles and Hardware Supplies share everything you need to know; from how many toilets you need to the best toilet door locks for schools. Read on to find out more.
What are the regulations around school toilet cubicles?
The most current legislation around school toilets is published in the ‘Advice on Standards for School Premises 2015’ from the Department of Education.
It’s also worth taking a look at the British Standard Institution for an in-depth review of what’s expected.
Advice from the DofE is less strict than it once was, allowing schools greater flexibility over how to use their space. Great… except that this also makes it easier to get things wrong!
Many of the regulations state that provision must be ‘suitable’ – but what does this actually mean?
Whilst there is no definitive explanation, the basic principle is simple. Schools must be able to show that they have based their toilet provisions around the age, number, and sex of pupils – and any special requirements they may have.
So how many toilet cubicles do you need?
In England and Wales, the minimum requirements for toilet cubicles are set out below.
| Key Stage | Age | Toilets required | Handwash points required | |
| Nursery | 2-4 | 1 toilet per 10 pupils | 1 wash point per toilet up to 3 toilets. 2 wash points per 3 toilets thereafter for all age groups | |
| Infants | Reception/Early Years | 4-5 | 1 toilet per 10 pupils | |
| KS1 | 5-7 | 1 toilet per 20 pupils | ||
| Junior | KS2 | 7-11 | 1 toilet per 20 pupils | |
| Secondary | KS3 | 11-14 | 1 toilet per 20 pupils | |
| KS4 | 14-16 | 1 toilet per 20 pupils | ||
| Adult | 16+ | 1 toilet per 20 pupils |
* Rules for toilet provision in Scotland vary. For further guidance visit gov.scot.
Easy ways to improve school toilets
Cater appropriately for the number of children using the toilet and you can’t go far wrong in terms of sticking to the guidance. But there are plenty of ways you can further improve the look, safety, and useability of school toilets. These include:
– Renew old fittings
Something as basic as replacing rusty taps or toilet door hinges, can not only make the area look more modern and attractive but also reduce the risk of accidents – skin is easily cut on rough, jagged edges.
– Replace cubicle partitions
Flimsy panels? Privacy when using the toilet is crucial – particularly for those in their teenage years. Switching thin or damaged toilet cubicle partitions for more sturdy replacements will enhance user confidence.
– Switch locks
Being able to lock the toilet door is essential if pupils are to feel comfortable and secure using the facilities.
From a school’s perspective, however, it’s important to balance that need with student safety. Switching broken or old-fashioned locks for anti-vandal locks – such as Burstcatch – is a great solution for toilet door locks for schools. These clever locking systems automatically release if excessive force is applied. Not only does this reduce the risk of damage, but also means that access can be gained in the event of an emergency situation.
– Think about lighting
There’s no excuse for dark and dingy toilets so make sure there’s enough lighting in place and replace any fittings that no longer work. It’s recommended to opt for a minimum light reflectance value of 30 as this helps any users who are partially sighted.
School toilets and Ofsted
Don’t make the mistake of thinking Ofsted only assess the classroom. They cover all aspects of school life – including the toilets.
During an inspection, they will check:
– If you are providing sufficient toilets
– If hand wash areas and toilet cubicles are well stocked
– If there is adequate access to hot water for hand washing
– If there is clear and appropriate toilet cubicle signage
– How well student privacy is protected
Start raising standards
If you’re looking for school toilet cubicles or toilet cubicle fittings, allow us to help.
As the summer holidays approach, now is a great time to think about making improvements. The 6-week break offers an ideal time to carry out any work without disturbance to staff or students.
Why not browse our range of hardware or cubicles? Or to find out more get in touch with the team.