(Video) Addressing modern challenges in education at the Schools and Academies Show 2026
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The Schools and Academies Show at the ExCeL London is always a great opportunity to connect with those at the forefront of education. This year, the conversations centred around a few key challenges facing schools today: adapting washrooms for unisex use, tackling the ongoing demands of maintenance, and ensuring ease of cleaning. At Focus Washrooms, we understand these issues intimately. Let’s delve into these challenges and explore how we can help.
The rise of unisex washrooms: navigating the layout changes
Schools are adapting to create inclusive spaces that cater to all students. This often involves:
Redesigning layouts: Maximising space and ensuring privacy with individual cubicles and shared handwashing areas.
Accessibility: Ensuring full compliance with doc M packs and other accessibility requirements.
Safeguarding: Implementing design elements that promote safety and supervision.
Focus Washrooms specialises in this type of transformation. Our in-house design team collaborates closely with schools to create bespoke solutions that meet their specific needs, ensuring a seamless transition to a modern, inclusive washroom environment. We have extensive experience in this area, including a deep understanding of the unique requirements of school toilet refurbishment, including safeguarding requirements and DfE compliance.
The importance of ease of cleaning and hygiene
Hygiene is, of course, a critical aspect of school washrooms, particularly in the current climate. Easy-to-clean surfaces and effective ventilation are essential for maintaining a healthy environment. Consider the following:
Antimicrobial surfaces: Selecting materials that inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.
Touch-free technology: Installing sensor-operated taps, soap dispensers, and hand dryers to minimise the spread of germs.
Effective ventilation: Ensuring proper airflow to reduce moisture and prevent the build-up of odours.
Focus Washrooms is well-versed in the latest hygiene standards and technologies. We can incorporate these features into your washroom refurbishment, creating a space that is not only visually appealing but also promotes a healthy and hygienic environment. We understand the importance of infection control, ensuring our work meets the highest standards.
What we learnt from the show
Speaking with educators at the Schools and Academies Show provided invaluable insights into the practical hurdles of modernising school facilities. It is clear that a primary concern for many is the successful implementation of unisex washroom layouts while maintaining strict DfE compliance and student safeguarding. These conversations highlighted that a transition to inclusive spaces is most effective when privacy is prioritised through full-height cubicles and open, supervised handwashing areas that naturally discourage anti-social behaviour.
Beyond the move to unisex facilities, specific topics such as sustainability and SEND initiatives were at the forefront of many discussions. We learnt that schools are increasingly looking for eco-friendly solutions to reduce water and energy consumption, alongside specialised SEND washroom requirements to support students with additional needs. By integrating these priorities with Doc M accessibility and hygienic touch-free technology, schools can address the dual challenges of environmental impact and rising washroom maintenance costs. These shared experiences reinforce the necessity of a strategic approach to refurbishment, ensuring every project results in a safe, compliant and modern environment that supports the wellbeing of the entire school community.
Planning a washroom refurbishment?
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