Rm Regulatory News (RM.)

21 Nov 2006 07:00

RM PLC21 November 2006 21 November 2006 RM to be appointed preferred bidder for Knowsley Building Schools for the Future ICT Contract RM has been informed by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council that the Councilintends to appoint the Group as preferred bidder for the Authority's BuildingSchools for the Future (BSF) ICT contract. Knowsley MBC's BSF programme willreplace Knowsley's existing secondary schools with seven new community learningcentres serving 8,100 pupils. RM will design, implement and deliver a sophisticated managed ICT service acrossthe seven new community learning centres. The Group will also work with theCouncil to develop a personalised learning environment which meets theeducational and transformational requirements of Knowsley's BSF programme. Aspart of this, RM will provide its IntegrisG2 Web-based, centrally hosted schoolMIS system. Commenting on the contract, Tim Pearson, CEO of RM, said: "Knowsley MBC has a bold vision for taking education forward and we're proudthat they've selected RM to work with them, and their chosen buildingcontractor, to realise their BSF plans. We're keen to get on working together toimprove teaching and learning across the Borough." Damian Allen, Knowsley's Executive Director of Children's Services, said: "The BSF programme is set to transform education in the Borough, both throughthe learning environments that will be created and the innovative new approachto teaching and learning. We look forward to a productive partnership with RM aswe work towards achieving our vision for education in Knowsley." Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: "We are delighted that Knowsley have chosen an ICT preferred bidder for theirinnovative BSF scheme, and we look forward to working with the Council and RM ondelivering their vision to the children of Knowsley." - Ends - For further information, please contact: Mike Greig/Phil Hemmings, RM plc 08709 200200 Fiona Laffan/Mark Antelme, Brunswick 020 7404 5959 Notes to Editors: The RM Group is a leading provider of educational products and services toschools, colleges and universities, local government and central governmenteducation departments and agencies. Founded in 1973, RM works closely witheducationalists to use new products, processes and technology to improveteaching and learning and is recognised as a leading innovator in theeducational information and communications technology (ICT) arena. This is the fourth BSF project RM has won. RM announced in February 2006 that ithad signed the first BSF ICT contract to be awarded, a £6.4 million contractwith Solihull Council; the Group was appointed preferred bidder byStoke-on-Trent City Council in September and by Leeds City Council in November2006. Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a £45 billion Department for Educationand Skills initiative that will rebuild or substantially refurbish all Englishsecondary schools over the next 10-15 years. A key part of the initiative is toensure that schools develop a sustainable ICT strategy focused on improvingteaching and learning. Partnerships for Schools, the government agencyresponsible for delivering the BSF programme, has set a budget of £1,450 perpupil (over five years) for the delivery of managed ICT services in BSF schools. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange