written by Sarah Smith, Executive Headteacher of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy and Christ the King Catholic Academy, Blackpool
As educators, we are trained to handle a multitude of challenges in our classrooms. Yet, recent research highlights a “silent crisis” that the vast majority of us feel ill-equipped to manage: hygiene poverty. The Hygiene Bank describes hygiene poverty as not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and cleaning products most of us take for granted – like shampoo, toothpaste or laundry detergent.
According to new data from laundry brand smol, 82% of state school teachers find it difficult to broach the subject of hygiene with pupils or their families. It is a conversation fraught with potential for stigma and shame, yet with 1.1 million children in the UK facing hygiene poverty1, it is becoming an unavoidable part of day to day life for staff.
To bridge this gap, a landmark conversation guide has been launched by smol’s Suds in Schools initiative. Developed in collaboration with developmental cognitive neuroscientist, Professor Sam Wass, alongside Primary and Early Years PGCE leads at the University of East London and in consultation with the NAHT, this free resource provides those working with children with a “professional script” to help navigate these sensitive interactions with dignity and care.
Why We Need a Script
We know that hygiene poverty is not just about unwashed uniforms; it is a barrier to learning. Research indicates this crisis causes 23 million lost school days a year, with children skipping school as a result of hygiene poverty. Despite this, 59% of teachers have never received training on how support affected pupils. The new guide offers this help, with age-specific advice from toddlers to teenagers.
Practical Takeaways for Your School
1. Change Your Language – Avoid judgmental words like “dirty,” “smelly,” or “unkempt”. Instead, focus on comfort and well-being.
2. The “Side-by-Side” Approach – Avoid formal confrontations; approach a child during a relaxed, private moment such as reading or playing. Sit at eye level and keep your posture relaxed. A warm smile often reassures a child more than words.
3. Set Up Support for Families in School – Communicate with families regularly and sensitively; offering a universal service will prevent families from feeling ashamed about being targeted. Keep a stock of spare clothes, signpost local organisations who can help or programmes like Suds in Schools.
These conversations can often open the door to wider discussions with families about other pressures they may be facing, creating valuable opportunities to offer early support – support that can be vital in keeping children engaged, attending, and thriving in school.
The Suds in Schools guide is available for free download now. It is designed to help us ensure every child feels supported, seen, and ready to learn, regardless of their circumstances.
Suds in Schools is a scheme from laundry brand smol to help schools support pupils affected by hygiene poverty by providing free, in-school laundry facilities and ongoing laundry capsules. To learn more or nominate your school for Suds in Schools support visit smol.com/teacherresource.
1 In Kind Direct (2025) A Clean Start in Life: Children and Young People’s Perspectives on Hygiene Poverty. Published on 2 May 2025