The goal is to get all of the country on high-speed net by 2005

Great Rissington Primary School in the Cotswolds was due to mark the event on Tuesday with a visit from Jo Davidson, director of education at Gloucestershire County Council, and Colin Hurd of the Department of Education and Science.

A spokesman for South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) said it was a landmark achievement for the rural region.

Liz Franklin, head teacher at the school said: "We are delighted that we are the 1,000th school in the region to be connected to Broadband.

"As we integrate interactive whiteboards into our teaching and learning, I am sure that we will benefit from instant access to online resources across the curriculum."

John Tuey, of Gloucestershire Local Education Authority (LEA), said: "Broadband connectivity for all schools marks a major step forward.

"Gloucestershire LEA is pleased to work co-operatively with 15 other authorities within the South West Grid for Learning, sharing knowledge and expertise in a complex area."

On Monday BT announced it planned to make broadband accessible to every community in the UK by 2005.