Washroom areas are increasingly recognised as troublesome hotspots for bullying in schools, with some children even avoiding using the facilities altogether.
In a recent ‘Bullying in UK Schools’ briefing paper from the House of Commons, it was estimated that 17% of young people aged 10 to 15 in England were bullied in a 12 month period, in a way that made them feel frightened or upset. 60% of those bullied have experienced physical bulling, 89% have fallen victim to verbal bullying, while 18% have suffered theft or damage to their property.
A staggering 32% of bullied students reported incidents occurring at least once a week, with 12% of school bullying taking place in washrooms and locker rooms. Sadly, 41% of students stated they believe the bullying they experienced would happen again after the first incident.
Students who are victims of bullying are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement and even dropping out of school. Bullying can also have an immediate effect on a student’s physical health, with victims often experiencing more regular headaches and stomach aches.
With these shocking statistics in mind, and knowing the implications on the mental and physical health of children and young adults, it’s clear there is still lots to be done to ensure children feel safe and secure while at school, and their education not implicated.
At Venesta, we are avid supporters of spreading the word about anti-bullying campaigns, and are keen to help crack down on bullying. Safety, privacy, inclusivity and material choices are key considerations when it comes to designing school washrooms, and we proudly work with Architects and Specifiers to ensure fit-for-purpose washroom solutions are specified.
Our education washroom range
From nurseries to universities and children’s play areas, we’re committed to raising the standard of our children’s washrooms. We’re confident our tried and tested washroom solutions help to reduce cases of bullying and give students a place to feel safe and secure. From the robust materials we use, to our anti-tamper fittings, full height cubicle options and secure pre-plumbed washroom panelling, we’re sure to have solutions to suit your brief.
Safety
Children have a right to be safe at all times. With this in mind, we’ve introduced a number of important features into our designs. Low height and shaped door options allow adult supervision where it’s needed, while our clever safety hinges minimise the risk of trapped fingers. We also include door lock options with emergency release mechanisms, giving you extra peace of mind.
Privacy
We also believe that children have a right to privacy. That’s why we give you the option of full height cubicle doors and partitions, with new enhanced privacy options available too. For secondary and further education, our solutions also include urinal privacy screens.
Anti-tamper
At Venesta, we work hard to ensure our stylish and robust designs encourage respect and discourage vandalism. Our solutions for secondary and further education washrooms feature metal frames, renowned for strength and rigidity, with durable metal fittings.
Hygiene
A hard-working washroom should also be one that’s easy to maintain. That’s why our solutions include features that make cleaning really easy. This includes our solid surface washtroughs with individual drainers. Also, the solid grade laminate we use is totally impervious to water, which means it can withstand intensive cleaning. With all this in mind, nurseries, schools, colleges and universities can ensure their students have access to hygienic and safe washroom facilities.
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