Professional School Washroom Installation UK
Let's be honest – school loos have a reputation. Most of us remember avoiding them at all costs.. Broken locks, no loo roll, dodgy lighting... it's no wonder kids would rather suffer than use them.
But here's the thing – it doesn't have to be like that. We've been sorting out school washrooms for over two decades and we've seen what happens when you get them right.
Kids actually use them. Teachers stop getting headaches from constant requests to "go to the toilet" five minutes before break. Parents stop worrying about their little ones avoiding drinking water all day.
Excellence
Experience
Expertise
“The kids noticed straight away, no rattles, no leaks, and the colours look brilliant. Macawʼs advice turned a quick fix into a long-term solution.ˮ
Craig Palmer. Site Manager, Rothley Primary School
Why School Toilets Matter More Than You Think
We've all heard the horror stories. Reception children having accidents because they're too scared to ask to use the loo. Teachers dealing with endless disruptions because the facilities are so grim that nobody wants to use them during proper break times.
We spend millions on interactive whiteboards and fancy science labs, then stick kids with toilets that belong in a Dickens novel. Research backs this up too: exceptional facilities genuinely improve attendance and concentration. When kids aren't worried about using the loo, they can focus on learning.
School Washroom Case Study
Blakesley CofE Primary School
Timeline: In term time (3 weeks)
Scope: Refurbishment of classroom washrooms and reception
The Key Stage 1 washrooms in this 19th-century village school were charmingly old-fashioned —right down to “Jurassicˮ cast-iron pipework, rattling sash vents and cracked quarry tiles. Charm, however, doesnʼt mop up condensation or meet modern safeguarding standards. Macaw delivered a full turnkey refurbishment that solved todays problems while respecting the buildings character
Healthy air, happy kids: we re-engineered ventilation with low-noise extract fans and ducting discreetly threaded through attic voids, ending decades of damp. Future-proof services: obsolete pipework was replaced with insulated copper feeds, point-of-use water heaters and non-concussive, water-saving taps.
Robust, bright interiors: slip-resistant safety flooring, wipe-clean uPVC cladding and colour accent feature walls stand up to daily hard knocks. Splash-shaped mirrors add fun; energy efficient hand-dryers speed the turnaround between lessons. Child-centred layout: we removed a little-used urinal run to create an extra cubicle, fitted low-height doors with friendly thumb turn locks and used soft-close hardware throughout.
Before:
After:
What we do
We fit out school toilets correctly. Not just functional – actually pleasant to use. Schools deserve the kind of facilities they will be proud to send visiting parents to..
Every job starts the same way: a proper chat about what's not working. Is it vandalism? Space issues? Ancient plumbing? Kids complaining they can't reach the taps? We've seen it all, from 1970’s buildings where the pipes are older than the headteacher to brand new schools where someone clearly never asked an actual child what height the sinks should be.
Then we figure out what will work. Not what looks good in a catalogue, but what'll still be functioning when Year 9 have had their worst day ever and taken it out on the door handles.
Contact Macaw Washrooms Today
Why Contact Macaw Washrooms?
Give us a bell on 01509 467417 or drop us an email at info@macaw-washrooms.co.uk. We'll come out for a look, have a conversation about what's not working and give you a realistic idea of what we can do and what it'll cost. No hard sell, no corporate nonsense – just an honest assessment from people who've been doing this for long enough to know what actually works in schools.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our school Hall Park Academy are pleased to share our thoughts on the newly refurbished school toilets, which have made a noticeable difference to the overall environment and student experience. The refurbishment has brought a fresh, modern look to the facilities. The new layout is more spacious and better ventilated, which has significantly improved hygiene and comfort. The addition of hand dryers, and improved lighting has made the space more user-friendly and energy-efficient. Students have commented positively on the brighter colours, cleaner appearance, and increased privacy. The new cubicles and doors offer better security and comfort, and the anti-vandal fittings are a smart addition for long-term durability. From a site management perspective, the materials used are clearly chosen for ease of maintenance and cleaning, which helps us keep the facilities in top condition with less effort. Overall, the refurbishment has been a great success and has had a positive impact on both staff and students. It reflects a strong commitment to providing a safe, clean, and respectful environment for everyone in the school community. We would strongly recommend Macaw washrooms to help design your project and deliver the project within a desired time to a high quality . Gary AnnablePosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Macaw Washrooms, These guys are on it, Great communciation and the finish is spot on, No complaints providing a 1st class service and most of all this was beyond a washroom this was sorting out a partiton wall and electrics these guys don't just do washrooms.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Outstanding company that provides first outstanding service. Mark and Craig are first class professionals who go over and above to ensure that all work is finished to a super standard.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Macaws have been brilliant from start to finish. We contacted them after suffering from a leak to one of the toilet blocks and the resulting concealed damage to the boys toilets at the Oaks Scout campsite. They worked with us and our insurers to give us the best outcome with available budget, whilst working around our need to still be operational. The finished works look great and we are very pleased with the outcome. We are now looking to engage with them on further projects.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lovely new toilet and washrooms fitted in our reception area. Craig and the team went through everything with me before, during and after the job. The area was finished to a great standard and looks amazing. Very friendly service. Thank you.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We engaged with Macaw Washrooms to refurb our 2 changing rooms, showers and referee’s room at our football club. They were nothing but fantastic from the start. We were visited straight away after making contact, and we explained what we were looking for and within days we had designs to peruse over, and after choosing the fixtures and fittings, we immediately confirmed the order. The project manager explained every step leading up to the start date as no question was too small and Mark and his team of fitters were excellent once they arrived and so professional. We also had problems with the drainage in one of the rooms, something that we have had to live with as a club for years, but Macaw have even sorted that out for us. We cannot praise Macaw Washrooms enough for the service they have provided from start to finish, and we have had amazing feedback from everyone. I’d just like to say on behalf of the club, Macaw Washrooms are simply the best and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. Adam Smith — Chairman, Ingles F.C.Posted on
based on 6 reviews
Primary School Washrooms: Making It Work for Little Ones
Primary school toilets are completely different. You've got tiny Reception kids who can barely reach the flush, mixed in with Year 6's who are practically teenagers. Everything needs to be smaller but still robust enough to handle daily chaos. We've learned a few tricks over the years:
- Taps that work for small hands (you'd be amazed how many don't)
- Bright colours that make the space feel welcoming rather than clinical
- Lower cubicle doors so teachers can see if someone's in trouble, but high enough for privacy
- Locks that 5-year-olds can manage but won't trap them inside
- Anti-finger-trap hinges because A&E trips aren't fun for anyone
The best bit? Watching little kids actually washing their hands properly because the sinks are the right height and the soap dispensers don't require a physics degree to operate.
Secondary Schools: Privacy and Vandal-Proofing
Teenagers are... well, teenagers. They need proper privacy, they're dealing with changing bodies and let's face it, some of them can be right little terrors when they want to be.
Secondary school washrooms need to be bulletproof. We use materials that can handle graffiti attempts, full-height cubicles for proper privacy and fixtures that won't break when someone's having a bad day. The trick is making them robust without feeling like prison facilities.
We've done schools where the old toilets were being vandalised weekly. Same kids, new facilities – suddenly no problems. Sometimes it's just about showing you actually care enough to provide something decent.
Why we are School friendly
DBS Checks: Obviously all our technicians are DBS checked. We wouldn't dream of sending anyone into a school who hasn't been properly vetted. Most of our team have worked in schools for years – they know the drill.
Holiday Working: Ninety percent of our school jobs happen during holidays. Makes sense really – no kids around, no disruption, facilities ready for the new term. Sometimes we can work around term time if it's urgent, but holidays are always easier.
Project Management: You get one person dealing with your job from start to finish. No confusion about who said what, no passing messages between five different departments. Your project manager knows your school, knows what you need and sorts everything out.
The Reality of Refurbs: Most school toilet refurbs we do are long overdue. We're talking about facilities that were probably grim when the current Year 11s were in Reception. Cracked tiles, limescale everywhere, that musty smell that never goes away no matter how much bleach the cleaners use.
Complete strip-out and start again is usually the only option. Yes, it's disruptive, but the alternative is patching up problems that'll just come back worse next term. We typically get these done over school holidays – six weeks is plenty of time for most jobs and everything's fresh after half terms and major holidays.
Going Green
Kids these days are properly clued up about the environment. They notice water-saving toilets, energy-efficient hand dryers, LED lighting. It's actually a great teaching opportunity – showing that being environmentally responsible doesn't mean going back to the dark ages. Water-saving features also help with budgets, which every school appreciates. Dual-flush loos, taps that don't run constantly, hand dryers that don't sound like jet engines – it all adds up over the year.
Different Schools, Different Needs
Primary Schools: Everything smaller, brighter, more forgiving. Anti-finger-trap everything because kids will find ways to hurt themselves on the most innocent-looking door handle.
Secondary Schools: Privacy is key. Full-height cubicles, safe locks, materials that can handle whatever teenagers throw at them (sometimes literally).
Special Needs: We've done loads of SEN schools. Wider cubicles, grab rails, height-adjustable features, quiet hand dryers for kids with sensory issues. Every school's different, so we always start with a conversation about what the children actually need.
Sixth Form Colleges: Almost like adult facilities but slightly more robust. Students appreciate being treated like grown-ups, but you still need materials that can handle high usage.
Superloo: a self contained space giving ultimate privacy. Perfect in Secondaries as well as Universities and Colleges.
Common Problems We Fix
"The Year 9s keep breaking the locks" - Usually means the locks are rubbish. Commercial-grade hardware costs more upfront but lasts years.
"Nobody uses them because they're disgusting" - Sometimes the only solution is starting from scratch. A refurb often transforms the whole dynamic.
"The little ones can't reach anything" - Height-appropriate fixtures aren't optional in primary schools. We see this a lot in schools that have been "upgraded" with adult-sized fittings.
"We can't afford to keep fixing them" - Cheap materials cost more in the long run. Better to spend properly once than patch things up every term.
School Washrooms Frequently Asked Questions
Most jobs are done and dusted in a couple of weeks. Small primary school blocks might be finished in a week, big secondary refurbs could take a month. We usually work during holidays, so there's no rushing around trying to avoid lessons.
Kids are harder on facilities than adults and they come in all sizes. A toilet that works fine in an office might be completely wrong for a primary school. Plus there's safeguarding, accessibility and the fact that if they're horrible, kids just won't use them.
Every school's different, so we always start by understanding what the children actually need. Wider cubicles, grab rails, height-adjustable features – we've done facilities for kids with physical disabilities, autism, sensory processing issues. The key is talking to the teachers and heads who know the children best.
We won't be cleaning them! We'll leave that to your facilities team. But if something breaks or stops working properly, we'll come back and sort it out. Most of the products we use come with warranties and we're always available if there are problems. We offer a 3 month check for yours and our peace of mind.