NEW flame retardant curtains helped prevent a Partington school being razed to the ground in an arson attack.

Youngsters at Ortonbrook Primary School are being given packed lunches this week after firebugs torched their hall, which is also used as a canteen.

Arsonists struck at the Oak Road school when they climbed onto the flat hall roof, removed part of a glass window and dropped a lighted rag onto curtains below.

The blaze caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and the hall needs major repairs.

But head teacher Leisa Downes is relieved the blaze didn't spread to the rest of the school.

Flame retardant curtains had recently been put in the hall, which helped to stop the fire taking hold, while the fire doors protected the rest of the school. An alert neighbour spotted smoke and raised the alarm on Saturday night.

The hall is used as a canteen as well as for assemblies and sports. Children were kept off school on Monday while the damage was assessed, but were back in lessons on Tuesday and were given packed lunches to eat in their classrooms.

Mrs Downes condemned the attack on the school as 'a senseless act of vandalism'.

She says: "This senseless act has caused extensive damage and inconvenienced our children. It is very demoralising because we pride ourselves on our school and try to make it as attractive and welcoming as possible.

"But we have been extremely lucky. If we had had the old curtains up I don't think the school would have still been here.

She adds: "The staff have been marvellous - they all came in to help mop up. And I'm very grateful to parents who also helped clean up."

The work to replace the hall's ceiling tiles and floor and repair the smoke damage is expected to take three weeks. The school hopes it will be completed for the start of term after the Easter holiday.

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