KCSIE 2026: What Does the New Guidance Mean for School Washrooms?
The latest iteration of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) came into force on the 1st of September 2026, with both updated and continuing guidance around toilets, changing rooms and showers in schools and colleges. These updates reinforce and build upon the original KCSIE legislation that was introduced in England in 2014.
If you’re a teacher, architect or designer involved in an education project, you might be wondering what these changes mean in practice. The good news is that the guidance doesn’t need to be complicated. In this guide, we’ve broken down the key points and what they could mean when planning, refurbishing or upgrading school washrooms.
Separate toilets for boys and girls
One of the key points in the new guidance, with regard to the washroom, is that schools must provide separate toilets for boys and girls aged eight and over. There is an exception for individual toilets (universal toilets), where the room can be locked from the inside and is intended for use by one pupil at a time. These can provide an alternative facility where needed.
For schools planning a new washroom or refurbishing an existing one, this means making sure there is appropriate provision for both boys and girls from the outset. It’s about more than simply having enough toilets, too. The layout, number of facilities, access and how the space can be supervised all need to work together.
For some schools, particularly those in older buildings, this can be easier said than done. Existing washrooms may have limited space or layouts that were designed many years ago. That’s why it’s worth thinking about these requirements early, before plans are finalised.
What about individual or mixed-sex toilets?
Where a child does not want to use the toilet designated for their biological sex, schools are encouraged to consider whether an alternative facility can be provided. The guidance gives self-contained, universal toilets as one example.
The important thing to remember is that these facilities should be provided alongside, rather than instead of, the appropriate single-sex provision. They should also provide a safe, comfortable and private environment for pupils.
For schools, individual lockable toilets can therefore be a useful way of providing additional flexibility. They can also be helpful for vulnerable pupils who need more privacy for other reasons, making them a practical addition to a well-planned school washroom.
It’s all about the layout
When it comes to school washrooms, good design is about more than what’s inside the cubicle.
KCSIE 2026 says that where mixed-sex toilets are provided alongside single-sex facilities, schools and colleges should consider any safeguarding risks and plan the space accordingly.
For example, point 113 of the guidance suggests that ‘mixed-sex toilets should be in individual, lockable rooms and open directly onto public areas (e.g. a corridor).’ This means that visibility, access and supervision are all important considerations when planning a school washroom – something we have practical experience of, as shown at Walthamstow Academy, where we delivered an open-plan washroom with shared hand washing facilities designed to support all of the above.
The aim is to create spaces that give pupils the privacy they need, while also allowing staff to manage and supervise the wider environment appropriately. It’s a balance that good washroom design and space management can help achieve.
Don’t forget changing rooms and showers
The guidance also covers changing rooms and showers. While not a new update, schools are still expected to prevent children aged 11 or over from undressing in front of a child of the opposite biological sex. Changing rooms and showers therefore need to be suitable for the pupils using them, taking into account their age, sex and any special requirements.
As with toilets, schools should consider whether alternative facilities can be provided where a child does not want to use the changing facilities designated for their sex. The KCSIE guidance proposes either fully enclosed changing facilities for one child at a time, or allowing access to communal changing facilities at an alternative time.
For schools planning new facilities or refurbishing existing ones, this is another reason to think about how much flexibility can be built into the design. Individual changing areas, private shower facilities and flexible spaces can all help schools accommodate different needs, while making the most of the space available.
Future-proofing your school washroom
One of the most useful things to consider when planning a school washroom is how it will work in the future, not just today. Pupil numbers can change; the way spaces are used can change; and guidance and requirements can change too.
Building flexibility into a washroom design now can make it much easier for a school to adapt later. That might mean including individual toilets alongside single-sex facilities, allowing for more private changing spaces or simply making sure the layout gives the school options as its needs change.
For school refurbishment in particular, it’s worth considering these things before work begins. A little forward planning can make a big difference.
We’re here to help
We know that keeping up with regulations and guidance around school facilities can sometimes feel like a lot to take in.
Our team have extensive experience designing and supplying washroom facilities for education environments. We understand the practical challenges that schools, architects and contractors face, from working with existing spaces to creating facilities that are safe, durable and easy to maintain.
We also keep a close eye on the latest guidance and regulations, so you don’t have to navigate it all on your own. Whether you’re planning a new school washroom, refurbishing an existing space or simply want to understand what the latest KCSIE guidance means for your project, our team is here to help.