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‘It helped to touch the products. You get a feeling about them. You know how soft and absorbent it is. We learned how to use them. Where you put them.’ (Girl, year 6)
''If my friend is on her period, because I've learned about it, I know what to do and how to help her.’ (Boy, year 6)
‘I used to think that it was awkward talking about periods and when I had these lessons I felt more confident, and I can speak to other people about it’ (Girl, year 6)
'We now know why periods happen. Now when we have it, we won’t get scared.’ (Girl, year 6)
The Period Confident Schools Programme tackles two menstrual justice issues that young people are facing in England and Wales: menstrual education that does not meet their needs and difficulties in accessing toilets and period products in their schools.
Period Confident Schools is Irise International’s ground-breaking initiative working with schools across England & Wales to:
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Most effectively implement the Government’s Free Period Product Scheme, improving access to free period products in schools whilst ensuring inclusivity of learners with Special Educational Needs, LGBTQI+ students, neruodivergent learners, and faith and cultural diversities.
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Position youth voice at the centre of transforming school toilet access policies by piloting our youth-led UK Schools Toilet Policy Toolkit. Together, we balance the needs of both teachers and students to create new toilet access policies which honour the rights of all students to access toilets, including those who menstruate.
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Train teachers to deliver a pioneering, age-appropriate menstrual curriculum, co-designed by primary school teacher Belski and Dr. Maria Tomlinson at the University of Sheffield. This curriculum directly supports the Department for Education’s latest RSE guidance to be implemented in September 2026, stating that menstrual health education should be delivered prior to girls’ starting their periods (which, for some, is as early as 8 years old).
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Take a whole-school approach to catalyse youth-led systemic change and a shift in culture around periods and menstrual justice.
What Teachers say:
“The initiative has ensured that students do not miss lessons, extracurricular activities, or social opportunities due to lack of access.”
“Students feel more confident and informed, not only about their own bodies but also in supporting peers.”
"Students feel encouraged to talk about periods without embarrassment or fear of judgment, which has contributed to a significant reduction in stigma, helping to normalise conversations about menstrual health and wellbeing."
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“The initiative has ensured that students do not miss lessons, extracurricular activities, or social opportunities due to lack of access... this practical support has been crucial in promoting equity and reducing barriers to full participation in school life.”
What students say:
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“Many of the girls have felt more comfortable detailing their struggles to members of staff… rather than covering it up.”
“Something as simple as placing products in a more public space not only made accessing products more efficient, but also reduced the stigma surrounding menstruation.”
"I am advocating within my school to implement education on menstrual equity within the curriculum, such as within our personal development lessons or assemblies."
More about..
Toilet Policy Toolkit
Irise’s research with young people, alongside work with our academic partners at the University of Sheffield, revealed that pupils across England and Wales continue to face significant barriers to accessing toilets and period products at school.
Young people shared experiences of toilets being locked during lessons - or even all day - and of period products being kept in staff rooms or receptions, requiring pupils to ask each time they need them. Stigma, combined with financial barriers, often prevents students from asking for support. In some cases, pupils must travel across school sites to access products, causing disruption to their learning and increasing anxiety.
We also heard that the products available are not always suitable, and that access becomes even more difficult during high-pressure times such as GCSE and A Level exams. Many pupils reported that products are not available in or near exam halls, and some feel unable to bring their own supplies for fear of being accused of cheating.
In response, Irise brought together a diverse group of young people, teachers, and sector leaders in 2024 to co-create a first-of-its-kind Toilet Policy Toolkit. Developed through a roundtable hosted by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, the toolkit supports schools to design inclusive, student-centred toilet policies that improve access while recognising the complexities schools face.
Endorsed by over 20 leading organisations and launched nationally in partnership with phs Group as part of guidance for schools participating in the Government’s Free Period Product Scheme, the toolkit is now being piloted in schools across England and Wales.
The toolkit is available for schools to download free of charge in both English and Welsh.
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Period Confident Curriculum
Our menstrual health education programme is a four-lesson curriculum grounded in research by Dr. Maria Tomlinson (University of Sheffield), which identified key gaps in young people’s knowledge and experiences of menstruation.
Her research found that pupils want more practical, inclusive, and honest education - covering menstrual health symptoms, how to use a range of products, and how to talk about periods with confidence. Many highlighted the importance of seeing and handling products, understanding absorbency and insertion, and learning from diverse, real-life experiences. Boys also expressed a strong desire to learn how to be supportive allies.
In response, primary school teacher Belszki developed this curriculum, delivered to over 250 pupils in 2024 and 2025. The programme led to clear improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and wellbeing, with positive feedback from both pupils and staff.
We are now scaling this work through a second-phase pilot, transforming the curriculum into a comprehensive resource pack for schools. This includes structured lesson plans, classroom worksheets, and teacher training materials, alongside new content for Year 4 and Year 7 pupils - responding to the recommendations of the new Women's & Equalities Committee Guidance around menstrual health.
At its core, this programme is shaped by young people’s voices. It responds directly to their experiences of stigma and gaps in existing education—providing practical knowledge, inclusive representation, and the confidence to navigate menstruation with dignity.
You can read more about Dr. Maria Tomlinson's findings in schools in her book The Menstrual Movement in the Media: Reducing Stigma and Tackling Social Inequalities
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“Something as simple as placing products in a more public space not only made accessing products more efficient, but also reduced the stigma surrounding menstruation.”— Ruby Holder, pupil
Interested in this work? We are actively seeking funding partners. If you are a council, a school or a donor, please get in touch.
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