Bad news unfortunately.
You may remember that our Bog Standard campaign has been lobbying for better regulations for pupils’ toilets in schools. Sadly the government hasn’t listened to us and last week published changes to the School Premises Regulations that will actually make things worse for children’s school toilets!
There are NO laws that state school toilets must be cleaned regularly, must have toilet paper, soap, doors that lock or must be maintained – and as a result thousands of children across the UK are faced with disgusting school toilets, with no locks, no loo roll and no soap.
Would you put up with this in your workplace?
Toilets that teachers use are protected by laws that include minimum standards like regular cleaning and ensuring enough supplies of toilet paper and soap.
It seems crazy to me that there is nothing similar for pupils and that the government won’t do anything about it.
You might think it’s common sense that schools ensure there is toilet paper and soap available for pupils and that their toilets are clean and pleasant to use – and I agree it is common sense. But that doesn’t mean schools are doing it and I know from the emails I get and the comments on the Bog Standard website that thousands of children and young people are facing disgusting school toilets every day.
The toilets are probably the most rooms in a school – so why are they such a low priority?
Within the new School Premises Regulations, it stipulates that “suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils”
But what does “suitable toilet and washing facilities” mean? According to the pupils, parents and health professionals we hear from every day, it certainly isn’t the state of school toilets at the moment. Without clear minimum standards, this new legislation will do nothing to improve things – it is so vague it is unenforceable. Parents and pupils will not have meaningful protection or be able to holds schools to account and schools will lack clear guidance on what to provide.
Because they are unpleasant to use, children avoid the toilets at school. This can cause or make existing continence problems worse and can lead to other health problems too. Toilets really are important. But do you know what the toilets are like in your child’s school?
Despite this set back, we will continue with the Bog Standard campaign and we will improve toilets for pupils in schools. If you have any suggestions or would like to support us by providing a case study please get in touch.
Natasha
The Regulations can be read in full here.
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