A devastating fire that destroyed a specialist SEND school in Devon has reignited debate about fire resilience and building protection across the education estate.
The Promise School in Okehampton, which supports around 100 pupils aged four to 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), was left a total loss following a major blaze on 22 February. The incident has forced school leaders to establish temporary teaching provision across multiple locations while plans for rebuilding are developed.
At the height of the fire, 18 crews from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene alongside aerial ladder platforms and water carriers. Fire investigators later confirmed that the entire roof and first floor were destroyed, while approximately 80% of the ground floor suffered severe damage.
The school, which only opened in its purpose-built premises at the start of the 2023/24 academic year, has since resumed face-to-face teaching across three temporary sites around Okehampton.
The Business Sprinkler Alliance (BSA) says the incident serves as a stark reminder of the operational, financial and educational disruption that major fire incidents can cause.
While catastrophic losses remain relatively rare, the BSA says government statistics show that fire and rescue services in England attend around 350 school fires every year. Data from the Government’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) further illustrates the financial impact, with average fire-related claims ranging between £231,000 and £610,000 over the past four years.
The consequences extend far beyond property damage, says the BSA For schools, particularly specialist settings serving vulnerable learners, the loss of teaching spaces can significantly disrupt education, wellbeing and support services.
In the case of The Promise School, pupils requiring specialist provision have had to adapt to alternative learning environments while staff and families navigate the challenges of maintaining continuity of education.
The BSA asserts that the incident has renewed scrutiny of fire protection measures within educational buildings. Campaigners point out that fewer than one in ten new schools are currently fitted with sprinkler systems, despite evidence of their effectiveness in limiting fire damage and reducing operational disruption.
For estates professionals managing increasingly complex education portfolios, the Okehampton fire highlights the importance of robust fire risk management, business continuity planning and investment in building resilience.
As schools continue to balance safety, sustainability and budget pressures, the lessons from Okehampton are likely to resonate across the sector for years to come.
Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash
