SCHOOLCHILDREN from Great Sampford Primary School will be put through their as part of a programme of workshops organised by EDF Energy Networks to raise awareness of the potential dangers of electricity. Children taking part in the hour-long sessions wi

SCHOOLCHILDREN from Great Sampford Primary School will be put through their as part of a programme of workshops organised by EDF Energy Networks to raise awareness of the potential dangers of electricity.

Children taking part in the hour-long sessions will learn about the hazards of playing near substations and overhead power lines.

As part of the session they will watch a video about a young boy who is fatally injured after ignoring triangular 'Danger of Death' signs and entering a substation. They will also learn how high voltage electricity can jump gaps and be conducted through anything, including fishing rods and kites, with tragic consequences.

EDF Energy Networks Senior Education Adviser, Sonya Keating, said: "The interactive nature of the workshops ensures the children understand the potential dangers and consequences of interfering with electricity. They learn valuable safety lessons which will last them a lifetime."

Education advisers are planning to visit the school, in Finchingfield Road, on Tuesday November 3.

EDF Energy Networks aims to visit about 170,000 school children this year. Any school or educational group that would like to increase awareness of electricity among pupils should contact EDF Energy Networks' education team on 01473 294515.

Meanwhile, EDF Energy has set up a special website to teach children about the wonders and dangers of electricity. The Power Up website www.edfenergy.com/powerup is aimed at students aged seven to 14 and also provides information for teachers and parents.

EDF Energy's Programme for Greener Schools, which aims to reach 2.5 million children by 2012, encourages teachers and schools to share examples of best practice with others via the scheme's website, known as The Pod (www.jointhepod.org). Participating schools can blog about their projects, share images, movies, podcasts and written work and these are accessible to other registered schools who wish to start similar activities.