Primary schools in Harborough are using new full-fibre broadband to connect teachers, students and parents in the coronavirus lockdown

Primary schools in Harborough are using new full-fibre broadband to connect teachers, students and parents in the coronavirus lockdown.

The schools boosted by the state-of-the-art technology are all part of Learn Academies Trust (Learn-AT).

They are keeping essential services running helped by a recent grant allowing them to upgrade to some of the fastest broadband available in the UK.

Faster speeds are enabling staff to work remotely, access school systems, take part in video conferencing with colleagues and plan and set lessons for pupils.

They are also completing online training and staying in touch with parents through email and social media.

Cutting edge connectivity was made possible through a grant scheme from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Openreach and Leicestershire County Council.

Schools which received support were Ridgeway Primary Academy, Market Harborough, Blaby Stokes CE Primary School, Church Langton CE Primary School, Great Bowden CE Academy, Lubenham All Saints CE Primary School and Red Hill Field Primary School, Narborough.

Cllr Blake Pain, acting deputy leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Through this nationwide scheme, this was the largest broadband grant given to a single organisation in the UK.

“We are very proud to continue to work towards providing great broadband across Leicestershire.”

He added: “Ensuring that Leicestershire schools, businesses and residents, are equipped with the latest technology is vital to our prosperity.

“Keeping our communities connected during times like this will make Leicestershire a future-proof and modern county.”

Stef Edwards, Learn-AT’s Leader, said: ‘Being able to see and talk to each other online every day so easily has been invaluable to the way we have been able to manage this enormous challenge.

“Our staff can keep in touch with children and families in need of support.”

She stressed: “Teachers can create and share pupils’ learning resources together.

“It is so important to support everyone during times of uncertainty and potential anxiety.

“And, of course, we are all looking forward to exploring the very exciting possibilities for children’s online learning when normal school life returns.’

Six of the Trust’s rural schools benefited from the programme aimed at improving resources and broadband connectivity in rural areas.

Residents living near the upgraded schools have also had their broadband speed boosted thanks to this blueprint.

The new broadband network was built by engineers from Openreach, the UK’s largest phone and broadband network, used by the likes of Sky, BT, TalkTalk and PlusNet.

Matt Bateman, Openreach’s Director for Infrastructure Development said: “We’ve been playing a leading role in connecting the nation for many years, but it’s never felt as important as it does right now.

"With so many people learning and working from home, we’re seeing 30 per cent more internet traffic in the East Midlands compared to a typical week before social distancing rules were introduced.

“But the good news is that the network is extremely resilient and coping just fine.”

Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, said: “We have invested £8million providing rural schools in Leicestershire with faster gigabit-speed broadband.

“On top of this we have pledged £5billion to bring faster internet to hard-to-reach areas right across the country.

"This means more children can benefit from this important technology and continue learning in this difficult time, as we urge the nation to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."

More schools across Leicestershire struggling with outdated broadband are set to be upgraded later this year.