Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues to schools on bathroom policies.

The Behaviour in Schools guidance (2022) supports schools to manage behaviour, so that schools are calm, safe and supportive environments, where pupils and staff are respected.

The Department trusts school leaders to develop tailored policies on the use of toilets which reflect their school’s individual contexts and needs. The advice on Standards for school premises (2015) is clear that suitable toilet and washing facilities must be provided for the sole use of pupils.

It is for schools to find reasonable ways, in accordance with the law, to balance every child’s right to access clean and safe toilet facilities when they need them, with every child’s right to have a safe and calm environment to learn in.

In the rare cases where parents or children may have concerns, they should speak to their school in the first instance.