Wadebridge School

Modern School Washroom Upgrade - open plan school washroom design for Wadebridge School new music block.

Wadebridge School, a coeducational secondary school in Cornwall, prides itself on creating a supportive atmosphere that aims to encourage students to reach their full potential. The school undertook a major renovation of its music block school washrooms, transforming two separate toilet areas into an open plan-design.

Paul Holman from Aston Reef Consultant Engineers led the design of the new school toilets, with the goal of creating an inviting space visible from circulation areas, allowing school staff to passively monitor student behaviour. The design included a long run of HiZone for Schools toilet cubicles by Bushboard Washrooms, ensuring ample facilities for both male and female students during busy break times. The toilet cubicles were specified in Cobalt Blue to match the existing corridor décor.

The HiZone for Schools toilet cubicles are designed in accordance with the Department for Education (DfE) regulations for secondary school washrooms, which require full-height cubicles to offer maximum privacy. These cubicles feature a 5mm door clearance, aluminium privacy skirting, and privacy strip with anti-finger trap hinges which also reduces the door gaps to just 5mm. Made from High Pressure Laminate, the cubicles are both water resistant and durable – ideal for school washrooms. All the features of the new school toilets are aligned with DfE guidelines aimed at preventing anti-social behaviour, particularly mobile phone use, and vandalism.

Estuary Building and Plumbing served as the main contractor for the project. Jake, the Company Director, praised Bushboard’s washroom products, he noted the ease of the order process and was pleased to use the products again, telling us the “quality is second to none”.

The project also included Bushboard’s Ready Plumbed Module Duct Panels, pre-plumbed with our own brand SanCeram sanitaryware and brassware. These pre-plumbed panels are mounted to a sturdy galvanised steel frame, Jake found the installation much faster and more efficient with everything ready to go once delivery had been received.

To complement the school toilet cubicles, back-to-back countertop vanity units were installed, offering ample washbasins without obstructing walkways. The Solid Surface countertops in ‘Concrete’ were chosen for their durability and non-porous properties, allowing them to withstand heavy use. The units also came pre-plumbed with SanCeram basins and push-action mixer taps, which are ideal for education washrooms due to their automatic shut-off feature, reducing water wastage and preventing flooding. The pre-mixed water ensures a safe temperature, enhancing both hygiene and safety.

Overall, both Jake and the staff at Wadebridge School were highly impressed with the final results of the new school washrooms. The improved environment encourages positive student behaviour while enabling staff to monitor the facilities effectively moving forward.