NBS Source PartnerRefurbishing school toilets is necessary for the safety and hygiene of washroom facilities as well as the satisfaction and comfort of students and staff. However, it is not always the most straight-forward task as there are many elements to consider such as budget restrictions, aesthetics and practicality.
At Excelsior, we help education facilities streamline the planning of their washroom refurbishments, achieving a refurbishment project that meets their requirements.
Important Legislation: The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012
Principal designers, contractors, and other professionals involved in school projects must be familiar with the specific legislation governing school premises. The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 states that toilet and washroom facilities must meet the following criteria:
● 4.- (1) Subject to paragraph (3) suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils.
● (2) Separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 years or over must be provided except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time.
● (3) Where separate facilities are provided under paragraph (1) for pupils who are disabled, they may also be used by other pupils, teachers and others employed at the school, and visitors, whether or not they are disabled.
● (4) Suitable changing accommodation and showers must be provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.
Overall, designers and contractors must ensure that designs reflect modern design concepts and produce high-quality, well-designed schools that will benefit school staff, pupils and the wider community.
You can find out about Independent School Standards in England on the Government website here: The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010.
Assessing Your Existing Washroom Facilities
Before starting a school washroom refurbishment, it’s essential to assess your existing facilities. First impressions matter—what message do your current washrooms convey? You may want to evaluate the following:
- Broken or Damaged Amenities
- Current Use of Facilities
- Mould or Damaged Tiles and Surfaces
- Commercial Washroom Regulation
- Lighting and Ventilation
- Hand Washing Facilities
- User Consideration
- Accessibility
School Washroom Refurbishment Considerations
School washroom refurbishments have a variety of elements to consider whether that be age range, time-frame, budget, and many other factors. We have highlighted the most important considerations for school refurbishment projects to help governors, headteachers and staff who are responsible school sites to understand the importance of each consideration.
Budget
Careful budgeting is crucial for a school washroom refurbishment. Choosing cost-effective materials like compact laminate or high-pressure laminate ensures durability without the expense of solid surfaces. Opting for standard cubicles instead of full-height partitions can also reduce costs while maintaining privacy. Additionally, phased scheduling or off-peak work helps manage expenses and prevents the higher costs of urgent labour and extended project timelines.
Users
School washroom refurbishments must consider the diverse needs of students and staff to create a safe and inclusive environment. Anti-bullying layouts, such as open-plan designs with increased visibility, help deter negative behaviour, while full-height cubicles enhance privacy and comfort. A wide range of colours and finishes allows washrooms to align with school branding, creating a welcoming and cohesive aesthetic.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics are key in school washroom refurbishments, shaping both atmosphere and user experience. Bright colours suit younger students, while neutral tones create a calm feel for older pupils. Durable materials like HPL or SGL can also ensure style and longevity, with digital print panels adding creative or branded designs. LED lighting and natural light improve visibility and safety, while modern fixtures like sensor taps enhance both aesthetics and hygiene.
Traffic and Durability
With high daily use, school washrooms must be built for durability. Solid-grade laminate (SGL) is ideal, resisting heat, impact, and water without swelling or degrading. Heavy-duty fixtures like robust locks, stainless steel hinges, and sensor taps enhance longevity while reducing maintenance and vandalism risks. Prioritising high-quality materials ensures washrooms remain functional, hygienic, and cost-effective for years to come.
Regulations and Provisions
School washrooms must comply with Department for Education Toilet Regulations to ensure suitability for all users. Separate toilets are required for pupils aged eight and over, unless using single-occupancy units. Fixture numbers vary by age, with one toilet per 10 pupils under five, and one per 20 pupils for older students. Accessible toilets must include appropriate fixtures and manoeuvring space, while changing rooms and showers are necessary for students over 11 who take part in physical education.
Different Types of School Washroom Refurbishments
We partner with schools, colleges, and nurseries across the UK to provide high-quality washroom solutions. From primary school toilet cubicles to changing room bench systems, we enhance washroom facilities in a variety of educational settings.
Nursery Washrooms
- Nursery toilets are designed to adhere to the needs of small children typically aged 3-4 years old. This involves creating an accessible space that is safe, child-friendly, and secure.
- Nursery washrooms typically should have low-level toilets and sinks, low-profiled doors and partitions for adult supervision, and non-slip flooring.
- Like most washrooms with high-traffic, material selection is vital too as you will want to choose a material that is easy to clean and maintain throughout the day.
- Alongside safety, nursery toilets and washrooms should be designed thoughtfully with colour and style in mind. This is so young children have a positive introduction to personal hygiene.
Find out more in our article Innovative Nursery Bathroom Ideas for Schools and Commercial Settings.
Recommended Ranges for Nurseries:
Primary School Washrooms
Primary Schools have the mostly the same washroom refurbishment requirements as Nursery toilets. However, as the age range of children is much broader (4 - 11 years old), the size of toilet facilities and cubicle heights will differ.
- As children develop, they typically require less supervision in washrooms as they may no longer need help using the toilet. Therefore, higher-profiled doors or even floor-to-ceiling systems may offer a better washroom solution for key stage 3 & 4 kids as they enhance privacy and reduce risks of bullying. Open-plan washrooms are a great idea for staff supervision (if required).
- Washrooms in primary schools should also have a safe and inviting atmosphere, so that children feel positive in hygienic spaces and will encourage them to use the facilities.
Recommended Ranges for Primary Schools:
Secondary School Washrooms
- For secondary school washrooms, the emphasis is on creating a modern, streamlined design while ensuring durability and safety remain key priorities.
- When designing washroom facilities for any educational setting, we carefully balance the needs of both the institution and the students, ensuring functionality, comfort, and long-term reliability.
- We help to minimise risks of bullying with cubicle design features such as our anti-peep camera channels. This feature reduces any attempts for camera access. We also make floor-to-ceiling cubicles like our Skyline Range, to ensure complete privacy.
- Safety features such as emergency access are also important in secondary school washrooms. At Excelsior, all of our ranges are complete with ‘Engaged’ & ‘Occupied’ indicators that can be opened in the event of emergency enabling the doors to be removed with lift off hinges.
Recommended Ranges for Secondary Schools:
College and University Washrooms
- University and college washrooms require a sophisticated, high-traffic-friendly design that balances style, privacy, and durability.
- Unlike primary and secondary schools, these facilities often feature full-height cubicles, unisex options, and touchless hygiene solutions like sensor-activated taps and soap dispensers.
- Solid-grade laminate (SGL) is ideal for withstanding heavy use, while modern aesthetics with neutral tones create a professional feel.
- These washrooms must accommodate diverse users while maintaining durability, hygiene, and a contemporary look.
Recommended Ranges for College and University:
Our School Washroom Refurbishments
We are proud to have worked on a range of refurbishment projects for schools. We provide cubicles suitable for all ages, from young children to high school.
Joseph Leckie Academy School
The brief was set for us to create a minimalist bathroom decor with high-specification wash stations. The finish of the washroom should be non-fussy and unobtrusive with a bespoke wash station.
Our solution was to create Planar, flush-fronted cubicles in 12mm Solid Grade. This provided a seamless finish while offering excellent durability. This design provides students with an increased sense of privacy while delivering floor-to-ceiling opulence.
Barr Beacon School Toilet Cubicles
The brief for this project was to adapt the Senator Cubicle Range to carry a screen-printed glass door ensuring appropriate hinges, indicator and keep are offered and suitable for use with the system. We had to deliver an opulent system which is generally not found in the education sector, to surpass the student’s expectations.
We created a hybrid solution to bring our client’s vision to life. We merged the Senator and Optik range together complete with Extruded Aluminium Pilaster. The ‘boutique-style-hotel’ aesthetic received lots of positive feedback from teachers and students, after meeting the unique design requirements of the school.
FAQs for School Washroom Refurbishments
What is the legal requirement for toilets in school?
Read through our comprehensive guide to Department For Education School Toilet Regulations. We cover everything from fittings, general planning, facilities for disabled pupils, showers, and more.
Alternatively, you can find out legal requirements for toilets in the Department of Education’s Advice on Standards for School Premises guide.
