The ground-breaking managed service contract in Dudley is nearly three years old. Long enough for schools to be able to assess its value. So what do they think?

“Two and a half years ago this was a school of 200 children and we were in a situation like so many other schools with two computers in a classroom,” says Martin James, of Manor Way Primary School. “There was a mixture of BBCs and various Archimedes. Just one computer had an Internet link (dial-up). Staff were constantly struggling with the difficulties of managing all of this. Just as the opportunity of the Dudley Grid For Learning (DGFL) came along we had already decided to have a computer suite. All the 18 new PCs went into the suite and for the first time we had real back-up for computers. We also received video-conferencing, scanners, and digital cameras. We now have a suite that can cope with a whole class, two children to a machine. Staff are using the suite for numeracy, literacy, art - everything in fact. Every child has an email address and ICT is no longer an end in itself but part of learning.”

However, there have been criticisms that choice is limited in Dudley schools. James insists there is freedom. “We could choose, still can,” he says. “We were a pilot school and there was a broad catalogue of hardware to choose from. We were given tokens - each one was worth so much. With a lot of help from the LEA and RM we worked out the best package for us. We can choose software in addition to that which is provided if we go through a hosting process. If we can show that it is all legal and licensed, they will test the software to ensure that it will run across the network. If that is OK, it goes on. RM is hoping to broaden the spectrum of software that is available anyway.

“We now rely totally on RM to get things fixed. Initially, the back-up was not good. RM over-estimated our knowledge and our technical ability. We are not techies. But they have listened and the responses are more sympathetic and they do a great deal more remotely. Sometimes you will see a cursor moving of its own accord, which is off-putting, as they sort a problem out from miles away. There are people who come out and those who work remotely. A printer fault will take about a day. If it’s done remotely that will be same day. There are also curriculum support staff.”

James is looking forwards 18 months to having the ISDN line upgraded. “All the kit will be refreshed then and it is anticipated that broadband will go into primary schools,” he explains.

Jill Stewart, head of Summerhill secondary school, is pleased the initiative has worked for her. “I would have had to spend a lot of time negotiating with contractors,” she says. “I’m also glad this is something we have done collaboratively and collectively across the borough. We have been able to support each other, learn from each other and share good practice. The transition from primary to secondary has been improved in terms of us building on what the kids can do.”

One of the early decisions at Summerhill was to give each teacher a laptop. “That created a huge impact,” says Stewart. “We spent that way and have fewer machines in other areas. Staff have moved on at a faster pace and this has raised expectations among them.”

Stewart feels that there is frustration in some secondary schools with such a large managed network. “One of the effects is to level things out,” she explains. “Schools that have been in the vanguard can feel frustrated at a pace that is slower than they would wish. Not everyone started from the same place.”

The fundamental gain is a higher level of entitlement for students. “It lifts the baseline significantly so ICT is not just in a department or an enthusiastic teacher’s classroom, it’s for everyone,” says Stewart.

.The contract

* The 10-year, pound;48 million contract with RM has given schools a computer upgrade, internet access and learning software, and a local schools network linking to the National Grid for Learning and the new district intranet

* It aims to let teachers and students to concentrate on the curriculum while RM takes over the management, support, maintenance and development issues

* Dudley has 16 secondary, 81 primary and eight special schools The LEA

* Funding consisted of pound;13 million from the LEA, pound;4 million from the National Grid for Learning and the rest from PFIcredits

* Contract negotiations between the LEAand RM took two years Ofsted “The project has had a major impact on teachers’ and pupils’ confidence in the use of ICT. Given the levels of investment and resourcing and improved performance, DGfL support for ICT in the curriculum is providing good value for money.”@info subhead = The contractor

* RM’s earnings are linked to factors such as the efficiency of the networks, teachers’ use of ICT in lessons and student attainment. “If we fail to hit targets we don’t get paid,” says Ian Todd of RM

* RM has used Connect software to give autonomy to staff and has also tried to increase opportunities for dialogue with school ICT staff.

RM: 07809 200200

www.rm.com

www.dudley.gov.ukcouncileducatedgflcontent.htm