As the new academic year draws near, schools across the country are preparing for the return of pupils. Classrooms are being organised, resources refreshed and plans put in place for a successful year ahead. But amid all the preparation, when did you last assess your school’s toilets and washroom facilities?
While it’s easy to assume your existing facilities are fit for purpose, it’s worth asking whether they truly meet the needs of both pupils and staff. More importantly, have you considered what your pupils think about them?
Clean, well-maintained washrooms are essential to creating a healthy, welcoming school environment. They support good hygiene practices, help reduce the spread of illness and contribute positively to pupil wellbeing. In contrast, poorly maintained or uninviting facilities can discourage pupils from using them, potentially leading to discomfort, health concerns and a negative school experience.
As you get your school ready for the year ahead, now is an ideal time to review your washroom provision and consider whether there are improvements that could make a real difference. Here are some key areas to think about.
TL;DR
As schools prepare for the new academic year, washrooms should be part of the back-to-school checklist. Clean, well-stocked and properly maintained facilities support pupil hygiene, wellbeing and dignity, while helping create a positive impression of your school.
From sanitary waste management and accessible period products to reliable consumables, entrance matting and hand-drying solutions, Tulip Healthcare can help schools across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire keep their washrooms ready for the demands of a busy academic year.
Pupils may avoid using your washrooms
Would you use washrooms that are dirty, smelly, poorly maintained or had no toilet paper?
Pupils can be just as reluctant to use facilities they consider unpleasant, having consequences beyond the washroom itself.
Research from Health Innovation West of England and ERIC, the Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, found that 51.01% of participants said their school toilets were dirty, while 39.29% said their school toilets were not well maintained, citing issues such as a lack of toilet roll, soap and working locks.
Even more concerning, 36.65% of those surveyed said they avoided drinking water so they wouldn’t need to use the toilet.
For schools, this highlights why washrooms need to be more than simply functional. Pupils need facilities where they feel comfortable, safe and confident using them.
Poor washroom hygiene can increase the spread of germs
School washrooms are used by large numbers of pupils and staff every day, making good hygiene essential.
If toilets and washrooms aren’t regularly cleaned, adequately stocked and properly maintained, they can become environments where germs and bacteria can spread more easily.
This isn’t simply about keeping facilities looking presentable. Good washroom hygiene forms part of creating a healthier environment for pupils, teachers and support staff.
Sanitary waste needs to be properly managed
Providing sanitary bins is only part of the solution. Those bins also need to be emptied and serviced regularly.
Effective sanitary waste management helps keep washrooms clean, hygienic and pleasant to use, while reducing the risk of unpleasant odours and overflowing bins.
TWC Facilities provides sanitary bins and collection services, with collection schedules tailored to the level of use within your facilities.
When reviewing your washrooms before the new academic year, check that sanitary bins are available where required, are appropriate for the space and are being serviced frequently enough for the number of pupils using them.
Are your washrooms supporting period dignity?
For pupils who have started their periods, having access to appropriate facilities and period products at school can make a significant difference to their day.
Being caught without a sanitary product can be stressful and embarrassing, particularly for younger pupils. Schools can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment by making period products easily accessible within washrooms.
Pads on a Roll provides a discreet way to make sanitary pads available exactly where they are needed, next to the toilet paper. The individually wrapped pads are designed to be convenient and easy to access, helping pupils avoid having to leave the washroom or ask someone for assistance.
For schools looking to improve their washroom provision, it’s worth asking: if a pupil unexpectedly starts their period while using the toilet, can they access the support they need without embarrassment?
Don’t forget what’s under your feet
Washroom preparation isn’t just about what happens inside the toilet cubicles.
Entrances and corridors can quickly become wet and dirty, particularly during bad weather, creating additional cleaning requirements and potentially increasing slip risks in your washrooms.
A good entrance matting system can help capture dirt and moisture brought into the building on pupils’ and staff members’ shoes. TWC Facilities supplies a range of entrance and dust mats, available in different sizes or tailored to specific dimensions.
For schools, effective matting can help reduce the amount of dirt and moisture entering the building, protect flooring and contribute to safer, cleaner hallways, classrooms and washrooms.
Your washrooms can affect pupil wellbeing
A school’s facilities send a message about how much it values its pupils.
When washrooms are clean, pleasant and well maintained, they help create an environment pupils can take pride in. When they are dirty, poorly stocked or regularly out of order, pupils may feel that their needs aren’t being prioritised.
Good washroom facilities are therefore part of creating a positive school environment, not an afterthought.
Don’t overlook your school’s reputation
Your washrooms are part of the overall experience of your school.
Pupils will talk about them. Parents and carers may use them when attending school events. Visitors, prospective families and other professionals may also form an impression of your school based on the facilities they encounter.
Clean, well-presented washrooms demonstrate attention to detail and reinforce the message that your school takes the health, hygiene and wellbeing of its pupils seriously.
Make sure you have the essentials covered
Even the best-maintained washroom will quickly become a problem if essential consumables run out. Before pupils return, check that you have sufficient supplies of:
- Toilet tissue
- Hand soap
- Hand towels or other hand-drying solutions
- Cleaning products
- Other essential janitorial supplies
Tulip Healthcare supplies a range of cleaning products, paper disposables and janitorial goods, with the option to order products as required or establish a standing order to help ensure you don’t run short.
With schools experiencing significant peaks in washroom usage during the school day, having a reliable supply of everyday consumables can make maintaining standards considerably easier.
A clean washroom is more than a clean washroom
As you prepare your school for the next academic year, don’t let the washrooms be an afterthought. Make sure they’re clean, well stocked, properly maintained and ready for every pupil who walks through your doors.
Tulip Healthcare help schools across Lincolnshire and Yorkshire maintain clean, hygienic and well-managed washrooms throughout the academic year. From sanitary waste and period products to floor matting and essential janitorial supplies, we can help take care of the details so your school can focus on what matters most, its pupils.
Contact us today to discover how we can help. Call our friendly team on 01472 345 934 or email customercare@tuliphealthcare.co.uk to get started.
