News & Events

MP Tours B4RN-Connected Brough School

June 22nd, 2022
Author: Mark Gray
Posted In: Latest news

Pupils held a Q&A with local MP Neil Hudson and B4RN COO Tom Rigg

Local MP Neil Hudson has paid a visit to Brough School, which receives free gigabit full fibre broadband service from B4RN.

This is all thanks to the hard work of the local volunteers and community, as well as gigabit voucher funding under DCMS’s Project Gigabit.

B4RN’s Chief Operating Officer, Tom Rigg, was also welcomed by headteacher Phil Cooper.

Dr. Hudson toured classrooms where every pupil can now be online at the same time – something unimaginable on the previous internet service.

Teacher Jen Robinson outlined the difference B4RN has made: “It means we’ve got connectivity where everyone can work at once. It was so frustrating in the past –  children saying ‘it’s glitchy, it’s glitchy!’ and once everyone was on, it’d start kicking people off! Now, it’s a smooth connection so your lesson runs smoothly, it’s making a huge difference.”

Teacher Jen Robinson said B4RN has made a “huge difference” for pupils’ learning

Mrs. Robinson continued: “Learning is instant. They can access it right away, without distraction. It brings learning to life for them. They don’t want to listen to me or look at a picture in a book – they want to see it brought to life. As a teacher, you can select so many more resources and make that impact.”

Headteacher Phil Cooper said B4RN was allowing Brough School to shine with digital learning tools: “I’m passionate about online learning with Google Platform and Google Classroom. We’re one of just two schools in Cumbria which are Google Reference Schools.”

He added B4RN were always first choice to deliver full fibre: “I could have gone with another provider, but I was passionate about B4RN and believed in it.”

Dr. Hudson, the MP for Penrith and the Border, said of his visit: “So good to see the pupils enjoying the topics in their classes and to see the positive impact of the new broadband connection sorted byB4RN. A small school being such a trailblazer is fantastic. I’m a big fan of the way B4RN work with local stakeholders and volunteers.”

Dr. Hudson has been a vocal B4RN advocate and played a role in getting government policy changed last year – action which meant B4RN could expand into the Eden Valley.

The primary school also hosts one of B4RN’s green cabinets, from where other local customers can be connected – if you’d like to sign up, enter your postcode at Get B4RN.

B4RN gets a thumbs up from the kids!

Local MP Neil Hudson meets the pupils

B4RN COO, Tom Rigg, speaks to the children.