Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulations on sprinklers in schools.

The Government is taking the impact from the tragic Grenfell Tower fire very seriously. Building owners across the public sector estate, including schools, have been contacted to ensure any risks are managed and dealt with appropriately and promptly.

All schools must have a mandatory Fire Risk Assessment and all new schools undergo an additional check while being designed. Where sprinklers are necessary to keep staff and students safe, or where they are required under a local authority planning policy, they are fitted. There is not and has never been a national requirement for sprinklers to be fitted in all new or existing schools.

All schools have to follow strict fire safety regulations designed to ensure they are as safe as possible and well prepared in the event of a fire. They must have robust plans to follow, conduct regular fire drills, and typically have multiple exit routes.

The Government has announced an independent review of building regulations and fire safety to be led by Dame Judith Hackitt. Alongside the rest of Government, the Department will take forward any findings from the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire and ensure any recommendations for schools are implemented.