21st Century learning environment fit for all….

A half-century old school is being taken into the 21st century in every aspect- including its toilet facilities for pupils.

Highland Council is spending £31m upgrading Lochaber High School to create a ‘truly inspirational’ learning environment; one element of the refurbishment is the creation of a new hygiene room, and revamping of an existing one, to accommodate the more intimate toileting needs of pupils with severe and complex additional support needs.

Centrally located on the ground floor, the equipment in the rooms has been supplied by Closomat, and includes the company’s Palma Vita automatic wash and dry toilet, with drop-down arms to the unit, to ensure pupils of any age can use the WC and be properly supported in the process.

The toilet facilities are only part of the school’s provision for pupils with support needs. It has further included a lift between floors, pupil support base and adaptive kitchen.

“The school facility already had a Closomat, and had enjoyed the benefits of the unit,” explained project senior architectural technician Iain Robertson. “When the refurbishment was discussed, this was one item they wished to retain, and we decided to provide another in the new spaces to give a male and female facility without having changeover of units and adaptation kits.”

Added Jim Sutherland, Lochaber High School headteacher, “This stage of the work will really transform the way our school building works and will provide a learning environment that will be truly inspirational.”