Minister of State for Climate Change, Gregory Barker MP, joined East Sussex schoolchildren at a safety lesson about the dangers of electricity, run by UK Power Networks.
Ninety school pupils at Burwash Primary School, School Hill, took part in the safety workshops during their afternoon assembly yesterday (20 September), run by the company which owns and operates the electricity distribution network in the South East, London and East of England.
The children learnt about the hazards of playing near substations and overhead power lines. They also learnt how high voltage electricity can jump gaps and be conducted through anything, including fishing rods and kites, with tragic consequences.
Items were passed around the assembly, including hard hats, safety clothes, power cables and the bright yellow ‘Danger of Death’ signs which are used on substation fences, so the children can find out what the signs mean and why they should never enter a substation.
Gregory Barker MP said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit Burwash Primary School in my Bexhill and Battle Constituency to join the children for a special lesson about the dangers of electricity. I am pleased that UK Power Networks offer this education service to schools which gets across the important safety message in a way that engages and interests the pupils.”
Headteacher Debbie Gilbert said: “It’s vital for children to learn about electrical safety for their wellbeing and it’s important for our school to teach about dangers. Bringing professionals into school gives extra weight to the safety messages. It was good for our local MP to see our primary school in action and the ways in which we enhance the curriculum.”
Heather Fulford, UK Power Networks’ education adviser, said: “I have been giving electricity safety sessions to children for 20 years and this was the first time I have had a Government minister attend one of my lessons so I was delighted. He took great interest in the work we do with young children to keep them safe around electricity and it was exciting to share our work with him.
“Electricity is a vital part of our everyday lives when used safely but these workshops ensure that the children understand the potential consequences of fooling with electricity. The children really benefit from the visits and learn valuable safety lessons which will last them a lifetime.”
m/f
Every year UK Power Networks educates more than 170,000 primary and secondary schoolchildren about the dangers posed by electricity. The school visits are targeted at the five to seven, seven to 11 and 11 to 14 age groups. The energy company is committed to reaching a million children by 2012.
Any school or educational group that would like to increase awareness of electricity among pupils should contact UK Power Networks’ education team through the Power Up website.
The Power Up website www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powerup is aimed at students aged five to 14 and also provides information and useful resources for teachers and parents in line with the National Curriculum.
Picture captions:
Caption 1: Powerful safety lesson: from left, Martin Howard, Director of Customer Services, UK Power Networks, MP Gregory Barker and education adviser Heather Fulford with schoolchildren Lana Gregory, Thomas Bullock and Lucy Bigwood.
Caption 2: Headteacher Debbie Gilbert with pupils Lucy Bigwood, Thomas Bullock and Lana Gregory.