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A SPRINKLER system is being installed in a new £3m science block at an 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.

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

The council's policy now 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.

Tory 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 in Thame, lit the fire because he had cut his finger while ransacking a cupboard and wanted to destroy DNA evidence.

The fire caused up to £500,000 damage and 65 firefighters 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 converted into an ICT suite of four classrooms and two large general classrooms.

6:44am Friday 9th May 2008

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