The Department for Education holds schools to specific standards for school washroom design so that the needs of all students are met. Pupils should have ready access to suitable toilet and washing facilities, with accessibility considered according to their needs and the applicable requirements. The appropriate approach will vary according to pupils’ ages and needs, with different considerations for primary and secondary school washrooms.
We explore best practices for school washroom design, with a focus on safety, accessibility and inclusivity.
Why School Washroom Design Matters
The design of school washrooms is important in meeting the needs of students. This includes providing clean, suitable and accessible facilities alongside a safe environment that supports appropriate supervision without compromising privacy.
Some of the reasons that school toilet design is so important include:
- Student wellbeing: Providing pupils with safe, suitable and readily accessible washroom facilities supports wellbeing and helps schools meet relevant premises requirements.
- Hygiene: Hygienic toilet cubicle systems and wash troughs can support effective cleaning and maintenance.
- Safeguarding: Washroom layouts should balance pupil privacy with appropriate supervision, with vanity units and wash troughs positioned to support appropriate visibility.
- Inclusive access: School washrooms should consider the needs of all pupils, including those who use mobility aids or wheelchairs or require support from a carer.
Key Design Principles for Safe and Inclusive School Washrooms
Privacy and Safeguarding
A core focus of school washroom design should be balancing pupil privacy with appropriate safeguarding. Cubicles should provide privacy, with doors and locking mechanisms suitable for the age of the pupils using them.
The appropriate approach to supervision varies by age and setting. In secondary schools, layouts can support passive supervision of communal areas without providing visibility into private cubicles. In primary schools, particularly for younger pupils, facilities should be easily accessible and allow appropriate staff supervision while maintaining privacy. KCSIE 2026 also requires schools to assess safeguarding risks where mixed-sex toilets are provided alongside single-sex facilities.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Washroom facilities should be accessible and inclusive to all pupils. In England, separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged eight and over are required, except where a toilet is provided in a room intended for one pupil at a time that can be secured from the inside. Provision for younger pupils should reflect their age, needs and the school setting.
Ensuring washrooms are accessible and adequate for all students is a key priority. Washrooms for disabled pupils should include a self-contained toilet and washbasin and, where appropriate, a shower or washdown facility. Compliant cubicles should have a door that opens outwards, a minimum size of 1500mm x 2200mm to accommodate wheelchair users, and grab rails.
Durable, Easy-to-Maintain Materials
Alongside legal requirements, another key design principle is choosing durable, hygienic and easy-to-maintain materials. As with any part of a school used by students, it is essential that washrooms maintain a high level of cleanliness and can be quickly and efficiently sanitised.
Wipe-clean materials, smooth surfaces and anti-graffiti solutions can support effective cleaning and maintenance. Design features such as IPS duct panels can also create a streamlined finish while providing practical maintenance access.
Choosing the Right Washroom Solutions
School Toilet Cubicles
School toilet cubicles should ensure privacy for students. In primary schools, lower doors and curved partitions allow for privacy while offering a degree of teacher oversight and functionality for student use. Secondary school cubicles typically place greater emphasis on pupil privacy, with the appropriate configuration determined by the washroom layout and safeguarding requirements.
Wash Troughs and Handwashing Areas
Vanities and wash troughs should also be appropriate for use by students. For primary schools, handwashing heights should reflect the age and size of pupils, with appropriately positioned facilities also provided for disabled pupils. A height of between 600 – 750mm is typically recommended for handwashing areas in primary schools covering Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
IPS Panels and Maintenance Access
IPS panels provide a way to conceal pipework behind a false wall, leaving only the flushing mechanism accessible to students. This both improves the appearance of the washroom and prevents accidents caused by access to pipes. These panels are easily removed by maintenance workers and offer a clean, hygienic finish.
Looking Ahead to School Washroom Design in 2026
School washroom design is increasingly shaped by safeguarding, accessibility and inclusivity guidelines. Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (KCSIE) reinforces considerations around pupil safety, privacy and supervision, while new Inclusive Education Estates guidance places greater emphasis on suitable facilities for pupils with SEND and medical needs.
Key considerations for schools moving into 2027 include:
- Safeguarding and supervision: Layouts should support appropriate supervision of communal areas while protecting pupil privacy.
- Privacy and appropriate provision: Toilet and changing facilities should protect pupil dignity, with safeguarding risks considered for mixed-sex provision.
- Inclusive sanitary provision: Facilities should consider pupils with SEND and medical needs, including accessible toilets and, where appropriate, hygiene rooms.
- Accessible design: Toilets and washing facilities should be accessible and support safe, comfortable and dignified use.
- Sustainability and longevity: Durable, maintainable materials can support long-term performance and more sustainable school washrooms.
Conclusion
Thoughtful school washroom design can help schools respond to DfE guidance while providing safe, hygienic and inclusive facilities appropriate to the age and needs of their pupils. As an experienced washroom cubicle manufacturer, Dunhams can work with you to design the most suitable washroom for your school. Contact our team today to discuss your requirements.
