Top fire protection for science block

3:04pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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A SPRINKLER system is being installed in a new £3m science block at a West Oxfordshire secondary school after a policy shake-up in the light of several high-profile blazes.

It is the first time such a system has been approved by County Hall leaders, after they agreed a new policy last year to improve fire protection measures in schools after a series of major blazes.

Staff and pupils at the Marlborough Church of England School, Woodstock, will be able to use the building from September next year, after the project was approved.

The council's policy says all new schools will have sprinklers fitted, unless they are considered a low risk - and the science block was considered a big enough investment to merit the sprinkler system.

Liberal Democrat county councillor Jean Fooks said she was 'delighted' by the decision, after demanding the council reviewed its fire protection measures.

Conservative county councillor Michael Waine, cabinet member for schools improvement, said: "The sprinkler system is being installed as part of the new assessment policy, which is in operation.

"I believe this is the first time this has happened under the new policy, but this does not mean other sprinkler systems will be fitted.

"The reality is if you put these systems in every single piece of new work in the capital build programme, it would take out millions of pounds. So sprinklers will have to be fitted on an assessed-risk basis."

In February, Thame arsonist Craig Ford, 23, was found guilty and jailed for five years for setting fire to a drama block at Lord Williams's School.

Ford, whose last known address was Seven Acres, Thame, lit the fire because he had cut his finger while ransacking a cupboard, and wanted to destroy the DNA evidence.

The fire caused up to £500,000 damage, and 65 firefighters from around the county fought to stop 60ft flames spreading to the main school building.

Work on the new science block at the Marlborough School will start in October.

The existing science laboratories will be refurbished and converted into an ICT suite of four classrooms and two large general classrooms.

Temporary classrooms will be demolished, and an area of new car parking provided to replace car spaces lost due to the provision of the new science block.

The school has 1,049 pupils - and by 2013, numbers are forecast to rise to 1,160.

Headteacher, Julie Fenn, said: "Staff and pupils are very excited by this development.

"Sciences are popular at A-level, and more than a third of our Key Stage 4 GCSE pupils choose to follow three separate science GCSEs.

"Our pupils will be able to learn in an environment that matches the quality of their achievements.

"We are very encouraged by this commitment from the county council to develop our site to accommodate significantly increased pupil numbers."