Washroom design - how to prevent bullying in school toilets

We all know that bullying is unacceptable, however half of all children aged 11-16 experience bullying (YMCA England & Wales, 2023). Bullying can happen anywhere, but school washrooms are often a hotspot. Dirty, cramped washrooms create prime breeding grounds for intimidation. These confined spaces with limited supervision can feel intimidating for many students. Thankfully, smart design elements can play a crucial role in creating safer, more inclusive washrooms that discourage bullying and promote well-being.

Anthony Dunham, Consultant at Focus Washrooms, comments: “If the toilets are easy to keep clean with an open circulation space, the nice environment will contribute to reducing the bullying in those areas. Bullies don’t like carefully designed washrooms!”

Refurbishment and Maintenance

It’s true that a washroom that is specifically designed for their needs appeals to children and makes them feel comfortable and encourages hygiene and care. Mostly, schools report that new washrooms are treated with respect by the students.

Bright washrooms designs

Fresh colours and engaging designs are key to creating a safe and pleasant washroom environment. Along with a wide range of colours, Focus Washrooms also offer many graphic designs that have various themes ranging from fun to educational.

Balancing privacy and safety

Anthony continues: “Specifiers and Head Teachers are increasingly asking for ‘increased privacy’ cubicles, this may range from smaller floor gaps & higher cubicles to complete privacy with not even a gap for big enough for a mobile phone, but each school will have different requirements.” Open plan washrooms have seen an increase in popularity too with some schools choosing to remove entrance doors and open up them up, or installing windows which open onto main corridor space. These are help teachers monitoring the area, without compromising privacy and safety.

Unscheduled Cleaning Rotas

Avoid routine cleaning rotas, and increase the awareness of offenders being caught!

Get the pupils involved: An education program combined with good communication prevents bullying and vandalism and also improves the communication between pupils and adults/authorities.

Washroom experts

Having specialised in school washroom refurbishments for over two decades, our vast experience and expertise have led us to successfully refurbish over 400 washrooms in the last year alone. Our deep understanding of the unique demands of school washroom refurbishments makes us the go-to partner to manage your next project - contact us today.