Tackling bullying in school washrooms.
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- Education
Washroom areas are increasingly recognised as troublesome hotspots for bullying in schools, with some children even avoiding using the facilities altogether.
In the House of Commons’ February 2020 ‘Bullying in UK Schools’ briefing paper, it was estimated that in the year from April 2017 to March 2018, 17% of young people aged 10 to 15 in England were bullied in the previous 12 months, 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.¹
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.²
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 effects 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.
Every October, schools and organisations across the world join STOMP Out Bullying™ in observing Bullying Prevention Month while each November hosts Anti-Bullying Alliance's Anti-Bullying Week. At Venesta, we are avid supporters of spreading the word about anti-bullying campaigns, and are keen to help crack down on bullying.
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.
Belleville Primary School chose Genesis cubicles to allow for staff supervision, where necessary, thanks to the low height, shaped doors and partitions. Read the case study >
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. For secondary and further education, our solutions also include urinal privacy screens.
South Hunsley Secondary School specified full height Titan cubicles to allow for secure unisex washroom facilities to be introduced. Read the case study >
The Leigh Academy expressed a desire to remove doors upon entry to all toilet facilities as a deterrent against anti-social behaviour - full height Titan cubicles fit the bill. Read the case study >
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.
Marian Vian Primary School chose to specify solid surface washtroughs to allow for regular and thorough deep cleaning, keeping both pupils and staff safe. Read the case study >
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.
Due to the high footfall, Tudor Grange specified metal framed Centurion cubicles and secure anti-tamper Vepps panelling to stand the test of time. Read the case study >
Learn how specifying our products will help improve your students' washrooms while helping to reduce the levels of anti-social behaviour and bullying by speaking with a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team.
You can call us directly on 01474 353333 or email marketing@venesta.co.uk for more information.
Sources:
¹House of Commons’ Bullying in UK Schools Briefing Paper (February 2020)
²National Centre for Educational Statistics 2019
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