School toilets 'to be observed' to tackle bullying » Education » 24dash.com

School toilet facilities should be unisex and open to observation from teachers to stop them being colonised by bullies, the Government recommended today.

Fear of bullying leads some children to refuse to go to the toilet all day, causing bladder problems, while others do not drink to avoid using the loo.

New design guidelines from the Department for Education set out to make school toilets safer and more attractive.

Campaigners welcomed the guidance and said pupils would benefit from "toilets they can be proud of".

The guidelines are intended to be used by planners drawing designs for new school buildings under the Government's £45 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Tim Byles, chief executive for Partnerships for Schools, the agency overseeing the initiative, said he wanted cramped and dirty toilets to be "a thing of the past".

"There is a very real issue around bullying in schools, with toilet blocks recognised as a hot spot for bullies to target those they choose to intimidate and threaten," he said.

"In a bid to avoid having to visit the toilet at school, many young people refuse to drink water, exposing them to the risk of becoming dehydrated, while others have developed bladder and bowel problems.

"This is an unacceptable situation.

"Toilets in BSF schools will no longer provide bullies with places that lend themselves all too readily to anti-social behaviour."

The design guidance recommended that urinals should not be installed in new toilets as they can cause embarrassment for boys, particularly at puberty.

Individual cubicles with locking doors should be fitted and washing areas outside the cubicles should be used by both boys and girls as this can reduce bad behaviour.

The document said "trough" sinks should replace individual hand basins because they look more attractive and can make it harder for pupils to flood toilet areas deliberately.

Facilities should be built opposite staffrooms or other preparation rooms so teachers can keep an eye on children using the facilities. A glass door or transparent wall could be used so staff can see into the toilet washing area, the guidance said.

Beverley Leeson, deputy director of the Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence, which ran the "Bog Standard" campaign for better school toilets, welcomed the guidelines.

"School toilets are often the most concerning issue for pupils and the impact on their health and wellbeing can be serious and far-reaching," she said.

"The very important focus on encouraging pupils to drink more during the school day must be accompanied by having toilets that pupils are happy and able to use when they need to.

"Toilets that pupils can be proud of also reduce rates of absenteeism, boost self-esteem, improve relations between pupils and teachers, and encourage willingness and ability to learn."

Copyright Press Association 2007.

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