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Flush with Innovation: Rethinking School Washroom Refurbishment for 2025

  • Rob Main
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

A 2024 survey by School Toilet Report UK found that 41% of pupils avoid using school toilets altogether due to poor hygiene, lack of privacy, or fear of bullying.



The Most Overlooked Space in Education?


School washrooms aren’t usually the first place that comes to mind when we talk about learning environments. But in 2025, they’re under more scrutiny than ever and rightly so.


From student safety to hygiene, from gender inclusivity to accessibility, school toilets are no longer just a building regulation tick-box, they’re a wellbeing priority. The trouble is, many school washrooms haven’t changed in decades.


With cleanliness concerns, privacy issues, and rising behavioural challenges, the pressure is on for schools to deliver washrooms that are robust, safe, and fit for purpose.


Refurbished school washroom with full-height cubicles and infrared taps

Why Washroom Design Matters More Than You Think


When washrooms fail, it doesn’t just affect plumbing—it impacts attendance, concentration, and student wellbeing. Some key findings from recent reports:


  • 41% of pupils avoid school toilets altogether

  • 1 in 3 pupils say they’ve been bullied or felt unsafe in them

  • Poor hygiene and lack of maintenance drive illness and absenteeism

  • Gender-neutral toilets remain controversial when privacy isn’t prioritised


This isn’t just about bad smells and broken locks—it’s about dignity, safety, and access to learning.



The Most Common Problems in School Washrooms


 Based on our work in schools nationwide, here are the issues we see most often:


  • Weak partitions or damaged cubicles

  • Broken or ineffective locks

  • Lack of supplies, poor dispensers and no touch-free options

  • Leaks, slips and standing water

  • No sound privacy—leading to embarrassment or avoidance

  • Outdated layouts that don’t accommodate SEND, hygiene needs or supervision


In short, many school washrooms are failing the students who rely on them most.



Rethinking the School Washroom in 2025


Design can solve more of these problems than you think. By combining durability, layout intelligence, and hygiene-first materials, schools can reclaim their washrooms refurbishment as safe, accessible, and easy-to-maintain spaces.


Here's what that looks like:


  • Full-height cubicles with anti-vandal laminate and track-mounted locks

  • Floor drains and seamless wall cladding for easy cleaning and hygiene

  • Infrared taps and soap dispensers to minimise contact and contamination

  • Sturdy seats without lids, tamper-proof fittings and wall-hung pans

  • Accessible cubicles designed with SEND needs in mind

  • Graffiti-resistant paint and welded joints to reduce tampering

  • Trough sinks and automatic flush systems for efficiency and safety



The Brookhouse Approach to Washroom Refurbishment


At Brookhouse, we’ve developed a specialist washroom package tailored specifically for education environments. Our solutions are robust, tamper-proof, and built to handle high traffic, day in and day out.


Here’s what we deliver:


  • Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) cubicles, panels and IPS 

  • Four-hinge cubicles with full top-and-bottom tracking for durability 

  • Seamless wall cladding with welded corners—no trims to pick off 

  • Hygiene-first layouts with contactless fixtures 

  • Custom layouts to suit supervision policies or gender-neutral preferences 

  • Lockable IPS and anti-ligature hardware for safeguarding


We also offer mobile washroom units and term-time installation options to reduce disruption.



Final Thought It’s time to stop treating school washrooms as an afterthought. They are a fundamental part of how students experience school life from safety to dignity to health.


If you want a washroom that withstands everything students throw at it—literally and figuratively, Brookhouse is here to help. Let’s flush out poor design for good.


Ready to put your funding to work?


Get in touch with Brookhouse on 0345 383 0050, or email us on inspire@brookhouseuk.com


Let’s design a space that enables success.




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