Rm Regulatory News (RM.)

9 Aug 2007 07:00

RM PLC09 August 2007 9th August 2007 RM confirms Lambeth Council Building Schools for the Future ICT Contract RM confirms that it has been awarded a £5m Building Schools for the Future ICTcontract by the London Borough of Lambeth. RM previously announced that it hadbeen selected as preferred bidder for this contract on 18 January 2007. Under the contract, RM will provide a sophisticated ICT learning environment forthe five schools involved in the first phase of Lambeth's BSF programme. As wellas managing the ICT infrastructure in each of the five schools, RM will providea data centre, VOIP telephony and a centrally-hosted learning platform based onthe Group's market-leading Kaleidos technology. RM will also be responsible fordelivering a "digital divide" pilot solution, which will allow pupils to havewireless access to online learning across the Borough. Commenting on the contract, Tim Pearson, CEO of RM, said: "RM's selection as ICT provider to the first phase of Lambeth's BSF programme isthe latest stage of a long and successful relationship. We share Lambeth'svision that pervasive ICT will be central to transforming education and lookforward to working with the Borough to deliver an innovative and educationallyICT service. "We're particularly excited to be working with Lambeth to pilot Borough-widewireless access to online learning services. If ICT is to make a real differenceto learning, it needs to be available everywhere and to everyone." Chris Davies, Lambeth's Assistant Director responsible for transformationthrough ICT said: "We are delighted to announce this new development to an already strongpartnership with RM. We have seen the benefits for our young people that comefrom our schools working in a long-term partnership focused on producing realresults and positive change. Today's announcement moves us up a further gear." Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said: "Congratulations to RM and Lambeth on the signing of their BSF ICT contract: wewelcome the diversity and enthusiasm that the ICT industry and the wider privatesector bring to BSF. Their engagement, innovation and expertise will help tounlock the talent of every child. "BSF is delivering new and refurbished learning environments - both physical andvirtual - to every single secondary school over the next 15 years, benefitingthe pupils, staff and communities of Lambeth and every other local authorityacross England." For further information, please contact:Mike Greig/Phil Hemmings, RM plc 08450 700300Mark Antelme, Brunswick 020 7404 5959 Notes: Founded in 1973, the RM Group is a leading provider of educational products andservices to schools, colleges and universities, local government and centralgovernment education departments and agencies. RM works closely witheducationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improveteaching and learning. RM is listed on the main market of the London StockExchange under the symbol RM.L. Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a Department for Children, Schools andFamilies (DCSF, formerly the Department for Education and Skills) programme thataims to transform education by rebuilding or substantially refurbishing allsecondary schools in England over the next 10-15 years. A key part of theinitiative is to ensure that local authorities develop a sustainable, area-wideICT strategy for schools, in line with the Government's personalised learningagenda: 10% of the funding for BSF is ring-fenced for ICT. Partnerships forSchools is the government agency responsible for delivering the BSF programme. RM has been chosen as supplier for six BSF projects so far - Islington,Knowsley, Lambeth, Leeds, Solihull and Stoke-on-Trent. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange