Stretford Grammar School wanted to replace a crumbling boys’ bathroom with the school’s first gender neutral toilet block. School students, administrators and governors were growing tired of high levels of antisocial behaviour in the washroom, as well as broken toilets, a persistent foul smell and noisy extractor ducts.
Having at least one gender neutral bathroom is becoming increasingly important for schools. The Department for Education and Skills now recommends that new and refurbished schools install unisex toilets to help reduce bullying and help all students feel comfortable.
Following a lengthy tendering process, we were selected to renovate the bathroom – modernising the facilities and making them suitable for all students, no matter what their gender identity.
Schools contact us regularly for help and advice with unisex bathrooms. More than anything else, we understand that attention to detail is critical in a potentially sensitive environment.
Full-height privacy cubicles were installed along with vandal-proof heavy-duty satin anodised aluminium ironmongery. Easy-clean laminate was also used throughout the bathroom to improve hygiene standards and student wellbeing.
Michelle Faulkner, Stretford Grammar School
Union House, Unit 2A,
Altrincham Business Park,
Stuart Road, Altrincham, Manchester, WA14 5GJ
