Carley JamesA teenager who lost about £900 worth of belongings in a school fire will not be reimbursed, a council has said.
Dion, 14, had left a bag containing an iPhone, football boots, and Apple AirPods in the temporary building at Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed in Newport, when the blaze broke out in July.
His mother Carley James said it was “disgusting” the school or local authority had not offered to fund replacement items, and has called for them to change their policy.
Newport City Council said personal items were not covered by its insurance policy, with a spokesperson adding: “Schools are not allowed to make payments in such circumstances.”
Instead, Ms James, who works at another school, has been told to claim on home insurance.
The items lost include an iPhone 16 worth about £600, Apple AirPods worth £120, football boots that cost £80, house keys, a lunch box and the bag itself.
“I’m incredulous because, despite it happening at school, that [claiming on household insurance] would make our premiums higher. But it didn’t happen at home,” she said.
“I’m in no financial situation for any of my bills to be any higher.”
Ms James has had to borrow money from her 96-year-old grandfather to pay for a new phone for her son.
The fire broke out just before the school finished for the summer holidays in July.
It started inside a temporary sports hall and the council said the cause was not suspicious.
The building was unoccupied at the time, and no-one was hurt, but bags belonging to some pupils were destroyed or damaged.
Ms James said Dion had been told by teachers to leave his bag there.
“Dion has gone to school, he’s done as I brought him up to do and listen to his elders, follow school instructions and then he’s been left in the lurch and let down by the council and the school,” she said.
“We’ve been left fending for ourselves. It’s completely unfair. It’s disgusting.”
Carley JamesMs James said she could not afford to replace all the belongings lost in the fire.
Dion is a keen footballer, but now uses old boots instead.
The phone was also a birthday present from his family.
“He’d only had the phone for three months after receiving it as a present,” his mother added.
“This upset Dion because I can’t afford to replace the items.”
Ms James is calling for a change of policy, because she says it is “essential” for her son to take a phone to school because he helps with childcare for his younger brother.
Carley JamesA spokesperson for Newport City Council and Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed said: “We sympathise with those whose items were damaged in the incident in Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed earlier this year.
“However, any claims for compensation have to be made through home insurance or other specific policies held by families.
“Personal items, whether vandalised, stolen or damaged, are not covered by school or council insurance policies. Schools are not allowed to make payments in such circumstances.
“Parents and pupils are advised not to bring valuable items to school but, if they choose to do so, then they should be insured against any loss or damage.”