Arson in schools

The NUT has launched a campaign to make it a legal requirement that all schools have sprinkler systems to help prevent the £100 millio a year of damage caused by fires.

As many as 20 schools a week are damaged or destroyed by arson with nine out of 10 of these fires being started by pupils.

The number of school fires rose by 55 per cent in 2003 with related costs increasing by more than 170 per cent over 10 years.

Stakeholder Response: National Union of Teachers

Steve Sinnott, NUT general secretary, said: "The deputy prime minister’s review of the regulations covering school buildings makes this the ideal time to put pressure on the government for a change in the law.

"The threat of injury to pupils, teachers and other staff and firefighters is one aspect of the problem caused by fires in schools. But disruption to children’s education frequently results.

"In secondary schools GCSE pupils’ coursework can be damaged or lost altogether creating severe difficulties for those young people. In addition there is the loss of  or damage to resources - books, equipment and materials - caused by fire.

"The financial loss of nearly £100 million a year could be cut by 90 pr cent if sprinklers were installed, the major insurer or schools tells us. That represents a substantial some which could be better used. Lower insurance premiums could also bring further benefits to the pupils in our schools.

"It seems madness that a system which costs no more than 1.8 per cent of total building costs yet could bring such benefits is not already a requirement. The deputy prime minister has an ideal opportunity to rectify this."

Stakeholder Response: Fire Brigades Union

Andy Gilchrist, FBU gneral secretary, said: "Fire fighters see first hand that school fires devastate communities and disrupt education.  This is about investing in protecting the fabric of our communities and the safety of our children

"Sprinkler systems slow down the spread of the fire and will stop an enormous amount of damage. It will also be safer for the thousands of firefighters who tackle school fires every year.

"Some kids think its fun to start fires. What they don’t see are the many fire fighters injured in the last ten years dealing with the consequences."