MP Mike Amesbury backs campaign from Cheshire Fire Authority

The Government’s original guidance does state that every new school should have sprinklers except in a few low-risk cases, but new draft guidance only envisages making it mandatory in new schools over 11 metres in height and new special schools.

The guidance comes four years after University of Chester Academy, Northwich - now called Rudheath Academy - suffered £4 million worth of damage after an arson attack in 2018.

A 55-year-old Runcorn man was jailed for 15 years for the offence.

The fire at the now Rudheath Academy in 2018 (Image: Supplied)

Mr Amesbury, who has written to ministers in support of the campaign, said: “To see the Conservatives attempting to row back on regulations around ensuring our children and teachers are safe in schools is clearly very concerning.

“Even more so as we’ve just marked the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower disaster when 72 people sadly died.

“Sprinklers protect lives, property and a child’s education.

“Enforced school closures can have a devastating impact on a young person and their family as well as the community.”

Statistics reveal there were 4,611 school fires in England over a ten-year period to March 2021.

Cheshire’s four unitary councils have backed the fire authority in calling on the Government to make sprinklers compulsory in all new school buildings.

As part of a broader fire safety initiative, the councils have agreed to lead by example in fitting sprinklers in new local authority properties where possible based on the use of the building.

And the councils are also lobbying the Government to require sprinklers in existing schools, care homes, apartment blocks, houses in multiple occupation and large warehouses.

They have committed to explore local policy options to promote this aim when such properties are built or undergo major refurbishment.