There are numerous, essential factors involved when choosing the right school for your children. Some paramount requirements would be the overall facilities, including; classroom sizes and sport resources, as well as the academic history and teachers; to name but a few.

However, would the state of the toilets affect or influence your decision? Well, according to The Good School’s Guide, parents are being advised to check out the condition of the toilets before making their final assessment. Why? Why not. With the recent outbreak of swine flu in particular, school toilets are in fact a prime breeding ground for inordinate quantities of germs, which of course are infectious and result in sick days, and worse still, long term illness.

“It is the “individual touches” such as the quality of lavatories and cloakrooms that can reveal a school's attitude towards its pupils”, said Sue Fieldman, the guide's regional editor. “If a school just goes that extra mile to make sure that the toilets are nice and clean for the kids it makes the children and the parents feel wanted.”

Reviewers are dispatched to identify the best and worst toilets, to then highlight their feedback in the guide. It may not be as glamorous as being a food critic; however their words are just as powerful and ultimately affect bums on seats.

“It always makes people laugh, but in fact it's very true; it is exactly the same as going to a restaurant.” Fieldman said. “These details are overlooked by parents because they are more impressed by the sports facilities and IT rooms.”

So, we suggest you either consult the 2010 edition of The Good School’s Guide or scrutinise your prospective school’s toilets in order to make a conclusive decision. Would you allow your child use a disgusting, unhygienic public toilet? We thought not. 

Albany Healthy Schools continues its mission to raise school hygiene standards across the country, with school hygiene and sanitation more important than ever before. We want to eliminate predatory infections, such as swine flu and norovirus, so that your school is a healthy learning environment at all times.

For more information visit www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk