Schools’ £15m high-tech boost

FOUR schools are to receive a multi-miilion pound high-tech boost.

A deal has been signed for a £15 million investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) over the next seven and a half years at the planned new Catholic high school in Broadway — the Blessed John Henry Newman — North Chadderton School, the new Waterhead Academy and Oldham North Academy at Royton.

Information technology specialist Northgate Managed Services, from Hemel Hempstead, will provide the services to the schools, offering a range of technologies tailored to the needs of each establishment, including infrastructure design and installation, and the buying of equipment and software.

Students will be able to study using a desktop PCs, laptops and a wide-range of personal devices, while technology will also be available to help the schools save energy by using computer equipment more efficiently.

Every student will also have access to an online learning platform and their own personalised learning area where they can work on assignments, store their work and access emails, enabling them to communicate with teachers and fellow students.

Northgate will be providing an interim service from April 1 next year, when school technicians will transfer to work directly for the ICT specialist, and from September, 2011, schools will be able to use the core services, including the online learning platform.

Northgate chief executive Andy Ross said: “By working in partnership with the schools, Oldham Council and Balfour Beatty we will be offering integrated information and communication technology tailored to the needs and aptitudes of their learners.”