Civica begins implementation of state-of-the-art ICT-based learning environments in first phase of £270 million Building Schools for the Future programme
LutonCivica, a market leader in software-based solutions that help organisations to improve service delivery and efficiency,has signed its largest ever contract for its education business, expected to amount to £44 million in total over the next decade.
As part of the QED Wates consortium, Civica has reached an agreement with Luton Borough Council as the prime ICT contractor for the town’s £270million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which the consortium will deliver over a ten year period. QED Wates will carry out phased building and refurbishment of 13 of Luton’s secondary schools by 2011/12. The facilities management service for the properties will be operated by OPERON for 25 years.
Civica’s contract comprises of the design and integration of a new learning and teaching focused ICT environment plus provision of ongoing technical back up for the schools’ existing computing infrastructures, as a complete managed service.
Designed in conjunction with the Government’s Partnerships for Schools (PfS) Agency, Luton’s BSF programme will deliver world class educational facilities and improve learning and skills opportunities both in schools and in the wider community.
Working with its partners at QED Wates and PfS, Civica will design, supply equipment for, and integrate, a centralised but individually-branded learning environment for each school to help improve borough wide collaboration and delivery of the National Curriculum. The company has now begun work at the first location - Lea Manor High School – with the new learning systems ready for students and teachers on return from the summer break.
Robin Porter, Programme Director, Building Schools for the Future, said: “With the release of the first stage investment funding, Luton’s BSF programme will deliver customised ICT facilities that will underpin students’ and the wider community’s future learning and creative opportunities. It’s the first practical demonstration of a long term partnership approach that will change local education prospects and enhance quality of life in the borough.”
Simon Downing, Civica chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with the QED Wates consortium and Luton Borough Council and are looking forward to continuing our partnership to deliver this ambitious programme for the local community. IT-based learning platforms are one of the keys in transforming education and from September students at Lea Manor High School will be using modern, secure individual learning environments that will be on a par with anything the online world offers.”
Notes to editors
About Building Schools for the Future
BSF is the Government’s national schools investment programme, managed by Partnerships for Schools (PfS) on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF, formerly the Department for Education and Skills). BSF is designed to transform education through improving all of England’s secondary school buildings and facilities over the next 10 to 15 years (subject to future public spending decisions).
About Civica
Civica Group Limited (www.civica.co.uk) is a market leader in software-based solutions that help organisations to improve service delivery and efficiency, with specialist expertise in local government, social housing, enforcement, education and regulated markets. Blending consulting, software and managed services, the group supplies more than 1,700 customers in the UK, Australia, Singapore and the USA, including 90 per cent of the UK’s local authorities.
About Partnerships for Schools (PfS)
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery organisation for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). PfS is a 120-strong organisation, with specialist expertise including educationalists, designers, ICT specialists, commercial managers and project management.
For further information, please contact:
Simon Burberry / Daniel Twigg
Chameleon PR
Tel: 0207 680 5500
