18 Aug 2010 07:00
18 August 2010
RM confirms Phase 2a of the Southwark BSF programme
RM confirms that it has signed a contract to provide IT services to schools in Phase 2a of Southwark Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The contract covers four schools and is expected to be worth £4m to RM. A Local Education Partnership, 4 Futures, was formed in May 2009 between Southwark Council, Balfour Beatty and Building Schools for the Future Investments to manage the full BSF scheme which reached financial close in May 2009 and was announced by RM on 15 May.
Building on the success of its existing relationship with Southwark's schools, RM will extend the innovative ICT service, including the provision of in-school hardware, networking and communications services, and day-to-day management and support. Each school will benefit from a customised ICT solution which offers significant choice and will meet individual needs. In addition, RM will deliver a full CPD programme ensuring that teachers and students are able to maximise the benefits of the technology.
Terry Sweeney, Chief Executive of RM, said:
"I am delighted that financial close has been achieved on Phase 2a of the Southwark BSF scheme. It's great news that we'll be able to continue to work with Southwark's schools and that their pupils will continue to receive access to innovative and engaging ICT. This is one of the first contracts to close since the Department for Education's decision to revise the scope of the BSF programme. Whilst we are in this climate of review, the good news is that we continue to see notable successes with projects such as Southwark."
Welcoming the news, Catherine McDonald, Cabinet member for Children's Services at Southwark Council, said:
"This is excellent news for our borough's pupils and staff. Investment in these schools will offer students fantastic IT opportunities. Pupils will have the latest technology and computers on hand, which will go a long way to help them in many aspects of their course work and future studies too".
4 Futures Programme Director, Pamela Fennell said:
"We look forward to continuing our relationship with the council to deliver the scheme and provide Southwark's students and school staff with the fantastic facilities they deserve."
Notes:
1. The RM Group is a leading provider of educational solutions that help teachers to teach and learners to learn. RM works closely with educationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improve education. RM is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM.L, ISIN GB0002870417. Further details are available at www.rm.com/investors and through the Group's investor blog at rminvestors.wordpress.com.
2. The BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme was established by Department for Children, Schools and Families in 2005 to renew secondary schools in England. Following the election of a Coalition Government in May 2010, the Department for Education stopped future procurement under the BSF programme. At the time the DfE stopped the BSF programme, Southwark had already reached financial close with its chosen building contractors for its project and its schools were unaffected by the DfE's decision.
3. Balfour Beatty is the main contractor responsible for the delivery for the Southwark BSF scheme, a major capital investment programme over three phases covering 12 schools across the Borough. All construction and facilities management for the Southwark BSF scheme is being carried out by Balfour Beatty.
For further information contact:
Phil Hemmings / Rebecca Bleasdale RM plc 08450 700300
Leonora Burtenshaw / Andrew Fenwick Brunswick 020 7404 5959
Rm (RM.)