School Washroom Refurbishment Case Study:
Wootton Upper School
Client: Wootton Upper School (Wootton Academy)
Task: Design & Full Turnkey Installation
Client: Wootton Upper School
Location: Bedfordshire, England
Project Value: 130k
Project Duration: 6 Weeks
Increasing school washroom capacity at Wootton Academy
Cr8tive Washrooms delivered a full turnkey school toilet refurbishment at Wootton Academy in Bedfordshire, converting four underutilised staff washrooms into larger, dedicated student facilities. The project involved structural alterations, compliance works and a complete washroom fit-out. The result is a modern, hygienic and durable set of washroom facilities designed specifically for the demands of a busy secondary school.
The brief
The school's existing washrooms were insufficient for the number of pupils attending the academy, and the layout created unnecessary movement through the building during break times. We needed a practical solution that would:
Increase washroom capacity for pupils without significant new-build works
Restrict access through the school building during break and lunch periods
Create clearly separated male and female facilities with appropriate privacy
Deliver a finish that was durable, hygienic and easy for staff to maintain
Cr8tive Washrooms worked with the school to design a solution that addressed all of these needs within the constraints of the existing building footprint.
Design specifications
The school's existing washrooms were insufficient for the number of pupils attending the academy, and the layout created unnecessary movement through the building during break times. We needed a practical solution that would:
Increase washroom capacity for pupils without significant new-build works
Restrict access through the school building during break and lunch periods
Create clearly separated male and female facilities with appropriate privacy
Deliver a finish that was durable, hygienic and easy for staff to maintain
Cr8tive Washrooms worked with the school to design a solution that addressed all of these needs within the constraints of the existing building footprint.
Scope of works
The school's existing washrooms were insufficient for the number of pupils attending the academy, and the Cr8tive Washrooms managed the complete turnkey delivery of the project, encompassing all structural, mechanical and fit-out elements under a single contract. The full scope included:
Removal of internal dividing walls between four staff washroom facilities to create enlarged male and female pupil suites
The formation of new external door openings to allow direct access from outside during break times
Full structural and building control compliance works associated with the change of use and structural alterations
Fire safety compliance works in accordance with current regulations
Supply and installation of full-height compact laminate cubicles, wall cladding, custom Corian-type wash troughs and high-clarity safety vinyl flooring
Mechanical and electrical works, including ventilation and lighting
Final snagging, deep clean and handover
Key challenges
Structural alterations within a live school building
The conversion of staff facilities into larger pupil washrooms required the removal of internal walls and the creation of new external door openings. Cr8tive Washrooms managed the full compliance process, ensuring the project was delivered in accordance with all current regulations, programmed to minimise disruption to the school day.
Improving access and safeguarding during break times
A key design objective was to reduce pupil movement through the school building during unstructured periods. By creating new external door openings, access during break and lunch times could be managed directly from the playground or external areas.
Specifying for heavy educational use
building type, with hundreds of pupils per day going in and out. Every material selected for this project was chosen with that intensity in mind to deliver long service life with manageable maintenance requirements.
The result
The completed refurbishment project has delivered modern, compliant and functional washroom facilities for the school's pupils. Washroom capacity was significantly increased through the conversion of existing staff facilities, and the new full-height cubicles provide appropriate privacy for secondary-age pupils.
New external access points support better pupil management during break and lunch periods, and all materials were chosen to be durable and hygienic to meet the demands of a busy secondary school. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design and specification, combined with compliant construction management, can transform existing building features into fit-for-purpose educational washroom facilities.
