Horrible toilets mean pupils drink less to avoid going. This can lead todehydration, constipation, headaches, fatigue and a lack ofconcentration.
Learning and behaviour also suffer.
For five Sandwell schools this is not a problem, though. They've justbecome the first in the country to win the national Bog Standard Award,which is organised by Education and Resources for Improving ChildhoodContinence (Children Now, 29 March-4 April).
The name is misleading though, because to get the award bogs must bebrilliant (see box).
Joanne Almond, Healthy Schools co-ordinator at Sandwell council, decidedto go for the award after listening to children. "The Healthy Schoolsteam have trained more than 65 school councils and through talking andworking with young people we discovered toilets were a major concern.It's really important for health and wellbeing at school," she says.
Schools can't get the award without involving pupils. After an audit ofloos an action plan is drawn up. Before the award is made, the schoolcouncil, chair of governors, head teacher and Healthy Schoolsco-ordinator must all sign a certificate to say the standards have beenmeet.
Problems schools must tackle include bullying and vandalism. "Some haveremoved toilet rolls from cubicles because children were forever causingblockages," she says.
"It's up to the school to work with the school council to think ofsolutions," explains Almond.
"At Rowley Hall Primary School, the school council have chosen how todecorate the toilets," she says. "Another school has taken drinkingwater fountains out of toilets. The awards process made them realise itwas unhygienic and they've provided proper water systems in thecorridors."
At Manor High School consultation with the school council led to CCTVbeing installed in the toilets. This put a stop to vandalism and createdhigh standard loos. "At Manor High, people aren't running home to go tothe toilet anymore. And people are drinking more because they're notscared of going to the toilet."
Some primary schools have introduced toilet monitors, pupils who checkthat children are behaving.
"Teachers might laugh at the award, but it's really highly valued bystudents," adds Almond.
Empowering students is what Almond has enjoyed most about implementingthe Bog Standard Award. "If they think they can make changes withintoilets it makes them think about what else they're not happy with."When the awards were presented, children were delighted with what they'dachieved, she says.
Almond's main job is getting schools up to the Government's HealthySchools standard. This involves working on issues like drugs, healthyeating and sexual relationships. She says the Bog Standard Award fits inwith emotional health and wellbeing. It also links to the healthy eatingtheme - one reason children don't drink enough at school is because theydon't want to go to the toilets.
Funding is the biggest barrier to achieving the award. "The facilitiesin some schools prevent them from achieving the standard. Some changeshave financial implications, which holds them back," reveals Almond.
But overall, she says implementing the scheme is easy. "It's minimalwork on our part, because schools sign the certificate themselves. Wejust check every eight applications."
She concludes: "It's a big win and a really good way of involvingchildren in improving things for themselves."
BACKGROUND - CRITERIA FOR THE BOG STANDARD AWARD- Pupils must be allowed to use the toilet whenever they need to- There must be enough toilet cubicles for girls and boys- Toilet cubicles must be private and have doors that lock- Pupils with special needs must have suitable toilets- Toilets must be looked after properly and not smell- Warm water and soap must be provided, plus towels or hand dryers- There must be enough toilet paper in all cubicles- Sanitary products and sanitary disposal units must be provided intoilets for girls aged eight and over- Toilets must be free from bullies and smokers- Pupils must be involved in managing and improving their toilets- www.bog-standard.org.
