Consultation on School Toilets: Best Practice Guidance for Primary and Secondary Schools in Wales

Following the outbreak of Escherichia coli (E.coli) in Welsh schools in 2005, the National Assembly for Wales appointed Professor Hugh Pennington to hold a public inquiry. The inquiry investigated the circumstances that led to the outbreak of E.coli O157 infection in South Wales in September 2005 and into the handling of the outbreak.

It also considered the implications for the future and make recommendations accordingly. ’Professor Pennington’s report, which was presented to the First Minister on 19th March 2009, made a series of 24 recommendations aimed at public sector bodies and food businesses. One of those recommendations was that every local authority should have a programme of audits to ensure that all schools have adequate toilet and hand washing facilities.

This consultation sets out best practice guidance for school toilets in primary and secondary schools to help inform that audit process. It is aimed at Local Authorities, school Governing Bodies and Head Teachers. It provides non-statutory guidance in respect of provision and management of toilet facilities for pupils in their schools.

This guidance takes account of the findings and recommendations on cleanliness, condition and privacy raised by the Children’s Commissioner in his 2004 report ‘Lifting the Lid’ on the Nation’s School Toilets and the Estyn report on “Food and Fitness in Schools”. It corresponds with the minimum standards for hygiene in the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes (WNHSS) National Quality Award.

It also supports wider public health work in schools to improve health and well being, e.g. as part of WNHSS and that undertaken by the school nursing service. It also fulfils interventions recommended by the Health Protection Agency in the Children's Environment and Health Strategy for the United Kingdom.