How to reduce vandalism in school toilets

Vandalism in schools, particularly in washrooms, isn't just a headache for facilities managers – it's a costly problem impacting budgets and, more importantly, creating an unsafe and unhygienic environment for students. Recent studies by The National Audit Office reveal that UK schools spend over £800 million annually on repairs and replacements due to vandalism, a staggering figure that could be better invested in educational resources.

Although it’s unlikely that schools can completely eradicate vandalism in school washrooms and toilets, some strategies can be used when designing a new washrooms which can help reduce and prevent vandalism.

Scuffs and bumps

Although white walls look great at first, high traffic washrooms can easily become tired and show up any deliberate damage easily. One solution to this is to install hygienic wall cladding on walls. It's very durable and is available in a textured finish which is more forgiving on scuffs. Image printed hygienic wall cladding is also a great way to have a more forgiving wall surface. Plus it is great for brightening up the washroom area too.

Privacy cubicles

For older students, privacy cubicles can be a mixed blessing. Student privacy is very important and typically privacy cubicles are floor to ceiling with minimal gaps for phones and other items to go under/over. Each cubicle should have their own ventilation and lighting as well in line with regulation. However, these enclosed spaces are the ideal place for vandalism to take place as the cubicles muffle sound and reduce the ability to monitor the space - something worth considering when designing a new washroom.

Open plan washrooms

We're seeing schools remove entrance doors or open up entrances to toilets, other schools are putting in windows on to main circulation corridors so that the washroom can be monitored by staff easily and safely - and it gives would-be vandals less place to hide. This is helpful as one thing Ofsted looks for is that washrooms can be informally monitored without compromising privacy

Anti-vandal fixtures and fittings - watch our video here

• All the main fittings we install in school washrooms are made from SGL (solid grade laminate) also known as CGL (compact grade laminate). This is a much more durable material than HPL (high pressure laminate) or any other chipboard alternative, and also has the benefit of being completely waterproof. The material is very difficult to chip away at or damage due to its strength so is ideal in school washrooms, where it's used for cubicles, vanity hand wash areas and duct paneling behind toilets and urinals.

• Solid surface troughs can be installed in washroom refurbishments as not only are they hygienic - they reduce stagnant water on vanity tops - they are very durable and resistant to chipping.

• Anti-vandal taps are becoming a more popular tap choice in washrooms for schools - these are wave on sensor taps so not only are they hygienic, they have limited water run time, reducing the possibility of flooding. As their name suggests, they are difficult to pull out or damage.

• Installing dispensers over sinks - it's preferable to install soap dispensers over sinks, or even better, over solid surface troughs as this prevents students from emptying contents onto the floor which is wasteful and a slip hazard.

• ‘Unbreakable’ hooks for changing rooms - the clue is in the name.

If you’re looking to refurbish your washrooms or would have any further questions about washrooms, contact us.