Rm Regulatory News (RM.)

7 Nov 2008 07:00

7 November 2008

RM to provide Dudley Grid for Learning for a further two years

RM has signed a contract extension with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, under which it will continue to provide the Dudley Grid for Learning (DGfL) for a further two years. The Group was originally awarded a ten-year, £43m contract to provide ICT to Dudley's school in 1998. Since then, the scope and scale of the service has grown and the two-year contract extension, which will include a 'refresh' of systems and infrastructure, is expected to be worth approximately £14m.

The initial Dudley Grid for Learning was a pathfinder PFI project, delivering an innovative managed service to schools across a local authority. RM provides in-school infrastructure and software, Internet connectivity and central IT services, as well as being responsible for day-to-day management of the complete authority-wide solution. The DGfL project was a groundbreaking new approach to educational ICT delivery and is widely regarded as a pre-cursor of the managed service model that has been adopted by the BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme.

Terry Sweeney, Chief Executive of RM, said:

"We're very proud of the work we've done in Dudley over the last decade and delighted that the Council has chosen to extend their relationship with us. Ten years ago, the DGfL was a brave and foresighted project. Today it still represents the benchmark for co-operative working between schools and an educational technology supplier. We look forward to finding more ways of helping teachers and pupils in Dudley over the next two years and beyond."

Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children's services, said:

"Technology is fundamental to teaching and learning. Children and young people need ICT skills, knowledge and awareness if they are to be successful in their future careers.

"RM technology is purposely designed for education. By extending our current contract for a further two years and working collaboratively with RM we aim to continue to develop our pupils ICT knowledge, skills and abilities."

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Notes:

Founded in 1973, the RM Group is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, colleges and universities, local government and central government education departments and agencies. RM works closely with educationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improve teaching and learning. RM is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM.L, ISIN GB0002870417.