Educational washrooms

Current standards for schools and colleges maintained by a local authority are contained in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999, and for independent schools in Part 5 of The Education (Independent Schools Standards) Regulations 2010.

For providers of post-16 education, the current Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires that reasonable steps are taken to prevent a disabled person from being placed at a substantial disadvantage. For washrooms this can include access to the cubicle, toilet pan height and provision of grab rails. DDA regulations also need to be considered in the selection of colour and finish in terms of the LRV (light reflectance value). There should be sufficient visual contrast to ensure visually impaired people can easily distinguish between different areas of the washroom, such as door frames to walls and sanitary fittings to walls, by virtue of the difference in light reflecting from the surface.

Another useful source for good practice ideas is Bog Standard, a campaign which aims to promote better toilets for pupils run by ERIC (Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence).

A key consideration in the design of washroom areas in an educational setting is the differing needs of all end users from staff and visitors to pupils from nursery age through to teenagers. Washroom, addresses ways in which washrooms can be designed specifically for an educational environment, reducing the risk of potential problems often faced in educational situations, such as bullying, anti-social behaviour and vandalism, as well as ensuring end users feel comfortable and areas are fit for purpose and practical.