Fire policy in mid and west Wales is to install sprinklers in new schools

It follows a suspicious blaze at Penyrheol Comprehensive, Swansea, which destroyed more than 40 classrooms.

Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones believes the fire could have been restricted.

The assembly government said Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart would make a statement next week on reducing the risk of fire in schools.

Ms Jones, who worked in fire control rooms in north Wales and Merseyside, said: "Of course there are costs to putting sprinklers in all our schools, but I am pressing the education minister to insist that fire sprinklers are fitted into all new and refurbished schools in Wales.

Sprinklers are a reliable means of combating and containing fires, at all hours of the day, 365 days of the year Ann Jones AM

"It makes economic sense and also protects schools, children and communities from serious damage and even loss of life."

An arson attack on Rhyl High School, in her constituency, closed the school at the start of the autumn term last year and 22 temporary classrooms were set up.

It caused disruption for parents and the wider community who used the facilities outside of school hours.

Ms Jones said she believed sprinkler systems would be a better solution than beefed-up security.

"Improving security is important but we cannot turn our schools into fortresses," she added.

SCHOOL FIRES Every year around 2,000 schools in Britain are damaged by fire Between 70-80% of these fires are started deliberately Insurance companies pay out �100m each year for fire losses The average fire costs more than the sprinkler system Source: National Fire Sprinkler Network campaign

"Sprinklers are a reliable means of combating and containing fires, at all hours of the day, 365 days of the year. They have been especially successful against fires started deliberately, usually when the premises are unoccupied."

Doug Mackay, chief commander of the Mid and West Wales Fire Service, said it had been policy for some time to install fire sprinkler systems in all new and refurnished schools.

He added that many authorities, including Swansea, had already adopted this policy.

Meanwhile, teachers from Penyrheol school held advice sessions for GCSE pupils at a local library on Wednesday.

Parents are being invited to a special meeting to discuss the future of the school on 28 March at St Catherine's Hall.

Headteacher Alan Toothill said: "Our year 11 entry exams have gone ahead this week at Gorseinon College. This is a wonderful achievement and everyone involved should be congratulated."

Electricity supplies have been restored to the school annexe and science demountable classrooms, and teachers are planning lessons obtaining resources from colleagues in other schools.

Pupils at the school are keeping up to date with the latest information in the aftermath of the fire thanks to the MSN online messaging service.

Swansea Council are using the service and already more than 100 pupils have joined. More than 300 parents are also getting daily e-mail updates.

A new telephone line providing the latest information has been set up for parents and pupils. The numbers are 01792 636600 or 533066.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart visited the site of Saturday's blaze on Thursday to see the scale of the damage for themselves.