The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999

Washrooms for pupils

3.—(1) In every school there shall be facilities referred to in paragraphs (2) to (7) which are adequate having regard to the ages, sex and numbers of the pupils and any relevant special requirements they may have but never fewer than as set out in those paragraphs.

(2) In every school there shall be a washroom or washrooms for pupils which, taken together, contain a number of sanitary fittings which is as least equal to “the basic number” being—

(a)the aggregate of—

(i)10% of the number of pupils at the school who have not attained the age of 5 years, and

(ii)5% of the number of pupils at the school who have attained that age; or

(b)in the case of a special school, 10% of the number of pupils at the school,

in each case rounded up to the nearest whole even number.

(3) In considering for the purposes of paragraph (2) the washrooms in the school and the number of sanitary fittings contained therein, account may be taken of any washroom for use by any pupil which fulfils the conditions set out in regulation 4(3)(b) provided that, in the case of a school with both male and female pupils who have attained the age of 8 years, there are at least two other washrooms for pupils.

(4) (a) In a school at which the majority of the pupils have attained the age of 11 years—

(i)every washroom for pupils in which there is fewer than 3 sanitary fittings shall contain at least as many washbasins as there are sanitary fittings,

(ii)every other washroom for pupils shall contain a number of washbasins which is not less than two-thirds of the number of sanitary fittings.

(b)In any other school, in all the washrooms for pupils taken together, the number of washbasins shall not be less than the basic number of sanitary fittings calculated in accordance with paragraph (2).

(5) (a) Except as provided in regulation 4(3), washrooms for male and female pupils who have attained the age of 8 years shall be separate.

(b)In a washroom provided for male pupils and female pupils and in a washroom provided for female pupils only, all of the sanitary fittings shall be water closets.

(6) In the case of a school with pupils who have not attained the age of 5 years, at least one shower, bath or deep sink shall be provided for every 40 such pupils, the number of such pupils being rounded up to the nearest multiple of 40.

(7) Changing accommodation including showers shall be provided for pupils who have attained the age of 11 years and who are in receipt of physical education and that accommodation shall be readily accessible from the school grounds and from any accommodation provided for physical education within the school buildings.