Melton pupils get first use of new broadband learning tool

Pupils at Brownlow Primary School, in Melton, prepare to try out a new interactive learning resource about broadband internet with police and BT engineers in attendance to give them advice EMN-180709-125449001

Primary school children in Melton have become the first in the county to try out an exciting new learning resource which explains how fibre broadband works.

The new tool, which is known as ‘the interactive cube’, was developed by Leicestershire County Council’s Superfast Leicestershire team to broaden the knowledge of youngsters around science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills.

A group of Year 6 pupils at Brownlow Primary School spent the day learning how fibre broadband travels from their local telephone exchange into their homes.

The aim was to teach them how to safely use the internet for learning, as well as enjoying popular online apps such as YouTube and Netflix.

Pupils at Brownlow Primary School, in Melton, try out a new interactive learning resource about broadband internet EMN-180709-125437001

Through building their own fibre broadband network and connecting all the towns and villages, pupils learned about the engineering behind the delivery and installation of fibre broadband.

Brownlow head Damien Turrell said: “It was great for the school with Superfast Leicestershire and gave the pupils an opportunity to learn the technical side of something they use every day, and how to use it responsibly.

“The whole day was something which Year 6 will not forget, and it’s thanks to the county council, Openreach and Leicestershire police.”

Openreach engineer Nick Woodward also spoke to the children about his role.

He said: “They are of a generation that is able to do more online than any before them, and you can only imagine the possibilities as they get older. We may have even inspired an engineer of the future.”

Leicestershire Police officers also advised pupils about internet safety.

More than 94 per cent of premises across the Melton district now have access to superfast broadband.

A typical Melton home, covered by the programme, can now download an HD YouTube clip in less than eight seconds, compared to around two minutes previously.