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RM, New Mill House,

183 Milton Park,

Abingdon,

Oxon OX14 4SE

www.rm.com/cfp

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Computers for PupilsSolutions Overview

Using ICT to deliver improved life chances

www.rm.com/cfp

Long-term supportfrom a trustedpartner

At this stage, none of us knows exactly how far theimpact of Computers for Pupils will reach. Many dofeel, however, that this is the first step in tackling thedigital divide and providing online home access forall.

Implementing a project like this may take you intonew territory, including the consideration of how thedecisions you take here will have an impact on thesuccess of other key government agendas.

Wherever it takes you, we feel sure that this is going tobe a unique experience and a significant step forwardfor education. It’s a journey which we are truly excitedabout sharing with you.

As for the timetable of our partnership with you, we are verymuch in your hands. When you are ready to take the partnershipaspects of this project forward, we are ready to open discussions with you.

Please call our Strategic Partnerships Team on 08450 700 300 or email usat cfp@rm.com and we will be only too pleased to enter the next phase ofthis journey with you.

Using ICT to deliver improved life chances

Think for a moment of a pupil who is given IT equipment and Internet connectivity under the Computers for Pupilsproject. It is not hard to imagine the impact that this might have, not just on the pupil but also on the whole family.

Then think of the benefits that could arise from the successful implementation of the project. A rise in literacy andnumeracy levels, a rise in the number of children reaching government targets at Key Stages 3 and 4 and theimplementation of the DfES drive for personalised learning and the Every Child Matters Agenda.

By working in partnership with you, we hope to deliver improved life chances for the most disadvantaged secondaryschool pupils and their families via the use of ICT.

A partnership in practiceAs a Becta-approved supplier, our intention is to encourage sustainability and provide:

• flexibility and choice, through a substantial menu of options.• the ability to tailor services to meet individual authorities’ needs.• value for money.

To fulfil this vision, the directors and staff of RM realise that we need to be:

• responsive and adaptive to the needs of the users of the service.• flexible and supportive of diversity.

• supportive of educational outcomes and customers’ success• innovative in offering quality solutions from multiple partners.

Most of all, in order to achieve these aims, we know thatwe need to be able to communicate and engage with

authorities and schools -to ensure the success of the project.

In short, communication is the key to success in this project. Our aim is to understand yourspecific needs and to work with you to tailor the most effective solutions which address those requirements.

This document opens the first channel of thiscommunication and provides an introductoryoverview of the products and services which wehave brought together to meet therequirements of CfP.

Experience and scaleability

As an approved Becta Infrastructure and Internet services supplier,we have significant experience in delivering a wide range ofeducational ICT projects, from small primary school implementationthrough to large-scale, complex, local authority, regional and country-wide projects which involve many different stakeholders.

For over 30 years, we have worked in education only, supplying award-winningsolutions to schools, colleges and higher education. If we were to cite just one suchproject, we might select our work with the London Borough of Newham, in which weworked closely with the authority to deliver in excess of 4,000 students’ laptops.

“Everything went so well – like clockwork. No glitches, no hitches andno complaints from schools.” Graham Pragnell, Newham ITASS

Taking the first steps The framework exists as an excellent starting point. In order to implement it, though,we really do need to talk to you about all of the possibilities and options.

When selecting the appropriate products and services, there’s a lot toconsider, including questions such as:

• Will the pupils all have a BT line? • How can you ensure educational outcomes? • How does Computers for Pupils fit into agendas such as Every

Child Matters, Building Schools for the Future and 14-19?

Our account management team, along with our education andtechnical specialists, is working regularly on topics such as these; itis our hope that we’ll be able to work with you to evolve solutions tothose issues which this project raises.

Providing you with choice,flexibility and innovation

A key element in helping to deliver Computers for Pupils is the provision of choice and flexibility for authorities andschools, to enable the right solution to be deployed to meet pupils’ needs. We have drawn on our commercialpartnerships with over a hundred major educational and IT companies - to maximise the choice and innovativesolutions which we can offer in this regard.

Product optionsCfP funding is for connectivity and devices only. However, along with core solutions,there is a whole host of additional options which you may want to consider, in orderfor your authority, schools and pupils to have the best experience.

The following diagram illustrates our CfP solution framework in context with thevision of digital equality.

Connectivity and Home/School Access

DevicesDevices, coupled with connectivity, allowpupils to access resources. We can offeryou a choice from a range of flexiblesolutions from leading suppliers,including Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, RMand Samsung.

RM ADSL

Handhelds PCs & Laptops

Ultra Mobile PCsThin Clients

Thin Client Community Wireless

3G HSPDA Mobile

& Home/School AccessConnectivityDevices

Resources

Services

Finance

Digitally connected pupils at home

Our connectivity solutions allow pupils(via devices) to access the Internet andother resources, such as a school'snetwork. We have partnered with T-Mobile and Computacenter to ensurevalue-for-money, fully featured andflexible product and service solutions.

ServicesImplementationOnce you have decided which solutions are most appropriate for your pupils, we can provide specialist installationprogrammes for both home and school, in all cases offering bespoke configurations. Project management can also beprovided by us, as an alternative to using your authority’s resources.

SupportEvery IT project requires support, and RM offers various support levels,

including;

• the award-winning Online Support website:www.rm.com/support • Authority Support Packages (should your authority decide to

provide first line support for pupils).• the RM help line (manned during core or extended hours).• dedicated service manager (providing account

management, reporting, monitoring and evaluationfunctions).

Training Without adequate training for pupils and parents, it wouldbe harder to achieve a successful implementation of the

project, as it is through training that learners gain confidencein ICT and can go on to achieve recognised qualifications. We

can provide online or face-to-face options to suit eachindividual’s preferred learning style.

By way of example, our unique ICT Accelerator Camps offer a focused learning experience delivered over four days.Students will be accredited for their ICT skills and can attain the BCS level 2 qualification for IT users – the equivalent toa grade B at GCSE (46 QCA points).

“The accelerator camps are a great response to the challenges set out in the government’s 14-19 whitepaper. They provide students with the opportunity to accredit prior learning in ICT and quickly achieve alevel 2 qualification.”

Sir Mike Tomlinson

SecurityIt is obviously important, from the outset, to consider the security of your CfP programme, including e-safety, pre-installed protection and physical security. RM can offer support and help in terms of antivirus, security-tagging,documented advice and guidance.

SustainabilityFinancial SolutionsWe can offer a range of very competitive finance schemes, allowing you to extend funding much further. Also, with ourself-funded leasing scheme you could have the option to earn interest on your money whilst you decide on the specificproducts and services you require.

As well as the funding available via CfP, RM has experience of helping customers to generate funding through otherschemes and opportunities. These include e-learning foundations and parental contributions, federations of schools andother government funds.

InsuranceA three-year insurance policy is available to arrange. Key features include:

• cover for theft and accidental damage.• no excess or deductible for all computer equipment.• a new replacement unit supplied, in the event of an agreed total loss claim.• your equipment repaired, in the event of an agreed damage claim.

As in all cases of insurance, some exclusions apply; we will be delighted to discuss thesewith you in detail.

WarrantyAll devices have a standard one-year warranty, meaning that the unit canbe collected and repaired or repaired on site, depending on eachdevice’s manufacturer. This cover can be extended to include anupgrade to:

• two or three years on-site (to LA/school)• two or three years ‘collect and return’ (to LA/school)

ResourcesSpecial Educational Needs (SEN) We offer a range of specialist devices and peripherals(such as keyboards) from leading SEN suppliers.Consideration has been taken in selecting the optionsavailable, in order to offer solutions which meet arange of special needs.

PeripheralsAccessories such as batteries, carry cases, and carepacks are available. We can advise you on which areuseful to consider, according to your pupil’s needs.

SoftwareFor software, there are two areas to consider: operating andproductivity software - in each case, you have a choice. Youcan select the Microsoft® operating systems of your choice andyou can also select productivity software such Sun StarOffice,Microsoft Office 2007 and the Adobe® School Collection (Photoshop andPremiere Elements).

ContentWe believe that teachers will be better able to support pupils and achieve the educational outcomes set by their schoolsand authorities, through enabling pupils to have access to educationally focused software and content which help tomaximise the impact and value of this programme. A whole host of options is available from leading third-partyeducational content suppliers and RM - and we will be delighted to discuss these with you.

SEN Peripherals

Content

Leasing SustainableFunding

Warranty InsuranceSecurity

Implementation Support

Training

Software