Special needs school gets super-fast broadband thanks to community partnership

Side by Side, the Jewish special needs school, is receiving full-fibre broadcast connectivity for their new £10 million site at no extra cost, through a community partnership.

The school has been turning to the local and wider community for assistance with constructing their new premises in Hackney, which is due to open in September 2022 and will widen their intake from 80 to 130 pupils.

Avon Group of Companies and Community Fibre then stepped in to fund and install their 1Gbps package for free, whilst covering ongoing monthly fees, for the foreseeable future. This offer will include a full-fibre network without using old copper phone wires, meaning the infrastructure will not require any electricity or power to be drawn by the school, following Side by Side’s environmentally conscious efforts.

The school, which is currently located in Stamford Hill, supports pupils with a range of different disabilities and learning difficulties from global development delay and Down’s Syndrome, to autism and visual/hearing impairments.

Jacob Sorotzkin, the chair of governors at Side by Side, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Avon Group of Companies and Community Fibre for their kindness and generous support. Having access to this impressive broadband offering – and at no cost – will enable us to continue to provide an inclusive, interactive and high-quality education to all of our pupils.”

While the CEO of Avon Group, Israel Moskovitz, said that Side by Side is “incredibly close to my heart”.

“The work they do to support young children with disabilities is integral to the community, and, as a trustee of the school, I have been pleased to work with Community Fibre to provide a valuable service free of charge”, he added.

Graeme Oxby, Chief Executive Officer of Community Fibre, said: “We are delighted to be working with Side by Side and the Avon Group to support education for children, and their families through full-fibre connectivity.”