Anti-Bullying Week 2021

As Anti-Bullying Week 2021 commences, we’re focused on helping schools to create safe spaces and tackle bullying in their washrooms, which can often be a hotspot. 

Aaztec are fully committed to raising the standard of school washrooms nationwide. We have worked directly with schools for over 30 years and have an unrivalled understanding of the demand of a washroom in an educational environment. It is important to provide clean, safe and hygienic washrooms for children in all levels of education.

Statistics obtained from a survey by the charity ‘Ditch the Label’ reported that 1 in every 4 young people in the UK have been victims of bullying in the past 12 months, with 77% of those being bullied explaining that it negatively impacted their mental health. The survey asked 13,387 respondents aged between 12 and 18 across UK schools and colleges.  

The Aaztec team are keen to help schools crack down on bullying and making small changes to their washrooms can certainly do this. Safety and hygiene are of the upmost importance, which is why we offer anti-tamper, anti-finger trap hinges and latches and why all of our products are made with easy-clean, sanitised panels. However, as well as safety and hygiene, privacy is key for school washrooms, particularly when trying to eliminate bullying.

One of the most effective ways to ensure privacy is to install full-height toilet cubicles and partitions. These can be installed floor-to-ceiling to cut the risk of intimidation and give everyone the privacy they need when using the facilities. Aaztec’s high quality product and installation mean that there are no gaps in the cubicle panels, therefore eliminating unwanted intrusion and the threat of them being exploited with the use of camera phones. Full-height cubicles are great for both single-sex and unisex washrooms. 

Designing the toilets with a large open plan layout can allow for teachers to supervise and see what’s happening inside which should also reduce the risk of bullying and anti-social behaviour. Full-height cubicles are ideal for these layouts and work well with central handwash stations in the middle of the room. 

This kind of design lends itself perfectly to unisex washrooms; of which there are many benefits to encouraging inclusivity and discouraging bullying. Shared washrooms can help with transgender equality and give students who don’t identify with a particular gender the opportunity to use the facilities without having to feel uncomfortable or confused.

Shared washrooms can also prevent bullying as the washroom is more likely to be occupied with all sexes using the space, meaning there is less chance of seclusion and one-on-one intimidation. 

Upgrading your washroom and making these small changes can make a huge difference to student’s wellbeing. Contact us today to discuss how we can help with your next project at your school.