School Washrooms FAQs
Considering undertaking a school toilet refurbishment? We’ve answered some of the top questions below. If you don’t see your query or need more information, please give us a call on 0115 811 4242.
How Many Toilets Should A School Have?
The number of toilets a school must provide in England is set out in the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012. Primary schools must provide one toilet for every 20 pupils up to the age of 5, and one for every 20 pupils aged 5 and over, with separate facilities for boys and girls from age 8. Secondary schools must provide at least one toilet for every 20 pupils, again with separate male and female facilities. All schools must also provide at least one accessible toilet for pupils, staff and visitors with disabilities. These figures represent the minimum legal requirement and many schools choose to exceed them to reduce queuing and improve pupil wellbeing.
What Are The School Toilet Regulations UK?
The legal requirements for school toilets can look very different for primary and secondary schools.
To summarise, primary schools must provide enough toilets and washbasins for pupils. However, from age 8+ (Year 3), separate toilets for boys and girls are required. There is an exception for schools which have an enclosed toilet room which can be locked from the inside, as this type of toilet facility doesn't have to be gender specific.
Secondary schools must provide separate toilets for boys and girls. However, unisex toilets are permitted if they are fully enclosed. Suitable changing accommodation and showers must also be provided for pupils aged 11+ who have PE.
All schools must also provide accessible toilet facilities for pupils, staff or visitors to comply with the Equality Act 2010.
How Can Schools Make Toilets Less Intimidating For Younger Children?
If you’ve taken a look at our case studies page, then you’ll know we are huge fans of colourful school toilet renovations here at Inspired Washrooms!
The use of colourful tones is a fantastic way to put pupils at ease within school toilet areas. The exact colours can also be chosen with your school branding in mind.
Also, it’s common for school toilets to feel intimidating because they feel ‘too big’. To combat this, our school toilets feature child height toilets and basins so that everything is within easy reach. An age appropriate design is important as it supports independence and dignity.
For children with sensory sensitivities, we can also install measures such as quieter hand dryers, acoustic panels and soft close toilet seats.
How Can Secondary Schools Prevent Vandalism In Toilets?
It can take a combined approach involving teachers and pupils to reduce and prevent vandalism in school toilets.
At Inspired Washrooms, we can also install anti-vandal measures for your school toilets to ensure your school toilets remain a pleasant environment for students. Some of the top ideas include vandal-resistant sensor taps, concealed trap urinals and anti-graffiti surfaces.
If your school toilets have previously been vandalised, speak to our experts about the ways in which we can combat the issue from a design perspective.
Do Schools Need To Have Disabled Toilets?
Yes, schools are required to provide disabled toilet facilities as per Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 and the Equality Act 2010.
These facilities must include adequate space and grab rails. In some cases, specialised equipment like hoists or changing benches is also required to ensure dignity and inclusion.
Inspired Washrooms specialises in disabled (accessible) toilet installation, including for schools.
If you are unsure of the requirements or need to include a disabled toilet installation as part of your school toilet refurbishment project, please contact us to find out more.
How Often Should School Toilets Be Replaced?
School toilets are subject to heavy use and so will likely require replacement every 10-15 years. Although some elements, such as sanitaryware, can last for up to 25 years, the likes of taps, flooring, walls and cubicle doors can degrade faster.
What’s most important is not to focus solely on the age of your school toilets, but rather their condition. If your school toilets require constant maintenance or their general condition is letting your school down, a refurbishment is likely long overdue.
How Long Does It Take To Refurbish School Toilets?
The typical timeframe for refurbishing school toilets is 3-4 weeks. However, the exact time will very much depend on the number of toilets to be installed and the overall scale of work required.
At Inspired Washrooms, we’ll provide you with a more solid timeline once we’ve visited your school and created a project brief. In particular, we know that minimising disruption to pupils is important to our clients in the education sector. Rest assured, we’ll work with you to outline timeframes and align with your wider requirements as a school so that you’ll always be kept in the loop.
How To Improve School Toilets?
Improving school toilets starts with an honest assessment of the current facilities. Common issues include outdated fixtures, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, insufficient cubicle numbers and a general lack of cleanliness that puts pupils off using the facilities during the school day.
A full or partial refurbishment addresses these problems at the root. Replacing sanitaryware, cubicles, flooring and wall surfaces with durable, easy-to-clean materials immediately lifts the standard of the space. Sensor-operated taps, touch-free flushes and automated hand dryers reduce contact points and improve hygiene. Good lighting and ventilation make the environment feel safer and more welcoming, which encourages pupils to use facilities without anxiety.
Anti-vandal finishes, concealed pipework and IPS units reduce long-term maintenance issues. Age-appropriate design choices (i.e. child-height fixtures in primary schools or more contemporary aesthetics in secondary schools) can also help pupils feel comfortable in the space.
How To Plan New School Toilets Around Term Time?
Arranging for your school toilets to be refurbished during the school holidays is ideal to minimise disruption to pupils. However, depending on the number of toilet facilities your school has, it may still be possible to carry out the installation during term time.
In any case, we recommend scheduling your school toilet refurbishment as soon as possible with our team to secure your preferred timeframe.
