Rural schools set to benefit from £3m fund to improve broadband

RURAL SCHOOLS are set to benefit from ultra-fast broadband connections under Government plans to boost internet use and digital skills.

A £3m pilot scheme by the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) will bring improved broadband to more than 100 schools in England.

The technology allows whole classes to use the internet simultaneously and means outdated IT systems can be scrapped.

The department said the schools will act as internet “hubs”, enabling nearby homes and business to connect to superfast broadband.

Yorkshire schools have been involved in talks with the DCMS over getting the upgrades after the pilot scheme is implemented.

Minister for Digital Margot James said: “As well as making a dramatic difference for students in the classroom, by using the MARGOT JAMES: Minister for Digital says the plans will make a ‘dramatic difference’.

schools as broadband hubs we are also making ultrafast broadband available to thousands of rural homes and businesses across the country more quickly.”

The Government said that more schools than expected will get improved broadband because the pilot project was delivered under budget.

Kim Mears, managing director for strategic infrastructure development at telecoms firm Openreach, said: “Without fast, reliable connectivity there is the risk that children will miss out on what is now an essential learning tool, so being able to connect up schools in this way is great news.”

The trial is part of the Government’s £190m Local Full Fibre Networks programme.

Schools already connected to ultra-fast broadband under the programme have seen their broadband speeds jump from 0.5 Megabits per Second (Mbps) to 100Mbps, with the capability to upgrade to 1,000Mbps.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “I don’t want schools in villages and rural areas to be left in the slow lane when it comes to broadband, and the funding announced today will benefit the schools that are most in need.”