Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera

Over the past two years, £12 million has been invested into Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera secondary school in Neath Port Talbot. A three-storey teaching block has been built, providing state of the art classrooms, school toilet cubicles and washroom areas for the 11-19-year-old pupils.

To complement the teaching facilities, Bushboard Washrooms were chosen for the school toilet cubicles, sanitaryware and vanity areas on the project.

Julian Davies, Principal Architectural Manager at Neath Port Talbot Council was in charge of the project. Julian explained the most important requirements when specifying a school washroom, ‘Schools are areas of robust, high usage. Quality products are required to withstand day to day use.’

Bushboard were chosen because of their proven reputation, ‘I have used Bushboard products over the last few years’ and they have been shown to be robust and retain their aesthetic qualities.’

Privacy was a big factor when specifying the school toilet cubicles. Julian chose Bushboard’s HiZone for the project in colours Welsh Slate and Zest. HiZone’s is a full-height toilet cubicle with partitions sitting in durable aluminium skirting at floor level.

Solid surface Hydra wash troughs were chosen for the handwash areas, providing a stylish alternative to the traditional vanity top.

The open washroom areas provide a contemporary approach to school toilets, promoting anti-bullying, ‘New washrooms form part of the new building and a move away from the traditional ‘enclosed’ areas. Cubicles are full height but wash areas are open off communal areas, this openness has been proven to reduce vandalism and the issue of bullying.’

The new school toilet cubicles and washrooms areas were a big hit, ‘Pupils like the bold colour scheme and the openness of the layouts.’