RM PLC
08 February 2006
RM confirms first Building Schools for the Future contract with Solihull Council
RM confirms that it has reached contractual agreement with Solihull Council to
provide managed information and communications technology (ICT) services to
schools in the Borough. The company announced that it had been appointed
preferred bidder for the contract on the 11th October 2005.
The contract, which is expected to result in business worth £6.4 million over
four years and eight months, is part of Solihull Council's Building Schools for
the Future (BSF) programme. Under the terms of the contract RM will provide ICT
services to existing schools in Solihull, as well as working with the Borough to
design and develop sophisticated ICT systems for schools that will be rebuilt
and refurbished under the BSF initiative.
Commenting on the contract, Tim Pearson, CEO of RM, said:
'The BSF programme is setting out to transform secondary schools in England,
with innovative ICT systems playing a key role in that transformation.
Establishing a position as a valued partner in BSF projects is an important part
of RM's business strategy.
'Solihull Council has chosen RM as its ICT partner for BSF ahead of selecting
the contractor that will rebuild and refurbish its schools. This a great
opportunity for RM to work with the Borough, teachers and the chosen contractor
to make sure that educationally effective ICT is fully integrated into the
fabric of Solihull's new schools. We look forward to working with educators
across Solihull to provide an ICT service that genuinely helps teachers to teach
and learners to learn'
Councillor Ken Meeson, Solihull Council Cabinet Member for Education and
Children, said:
'The BSF programme will deliver schools for the 21st Century and it is important
that we also have 21st Century technology to maximise benefits for pupils. The
contract with RM will deliver state of the art facilities and I am particularly
pleased that it will also provide integrated ICT capabilities for other schools
in the Borough.'
- 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 to
schools, colleges and universities, local government and central government
education departments and agencies. Founded in 1973, RM works closely with
educationalists to use new products, processes and technology to improve
teaching and learning and is recognised as a leading innovator in the
educational information and communications technology (ICT) arena.
Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a £45 billion Department for Education
and Skills initiative that will rebuild or substantially refurbish all English
secondary schools over the next 10-15 years. A key part of the initiative is to
ensure that schools develop a sustainable ICT strategy focused on improving
teaching and learning.
RM will provide a managed ICT service for six schools in Solihull. The scope of
the service includes the design, implementation and ongoing management of all
the ICT needs in these schools. The service also includes the provision of an
LEA-wide Managed Learning Environment, a programme of training, and an education
support team to assist with the introduction of the technology.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange