Re Contract

RM PLC
18 September 2006


                                                               18 September 2006


   RM appointed preferred bidder for Stoke-on-Trent Building Schools for the 
                                Future contract    
                                

RM confirms that it has been selected by Stoke-on-Trent City Council as
preferred bidder for the Council's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) ICT
contract. The Group announced on 7 September 2006 that, subject to the agreement
of certain conditions, the Council intended to invite RM to become preferred
partner for the project.

Under the terms of the contract, RM will design, implement and manage a
sophisticated, managed ICT service supporting, in the future, approximately
14,000 pupils in 24 schools (16 secondary schools and 8 special schools) in
Stoke-on-Trent. The BSF programme is an important part of the City Council's
transformation agenda, with the first phase schools going live in September
2007.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's BSF programme has separated the selection of its
ICT and building partners. In the coming months RM will work closely with the
Council and its chosen construction partner to ensure the integration of ICT
into Stoke-on-Trent's new schools.

Commenting on the contract, Tim Pearson, CEO of RM, said:

'It's great news that RM has been appointed preferred bidder for what we believe
to be the largest BSF ICT contract awarded so far. The BSF programme is a major
development for English secondary schools; as such, it represents a strong
opportunity for RM. We look forward to working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council
and its schools to deliver educationally-effective ICT solutions.

Mike Inman, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's BSF Project Manager, said:

'Our BSF programme will make a major contribution to learning opportunities for
children in Stoke-on-Trent. ICT is a fundamental part of the Council's vision
for its future schools and, during the bidding process, RM has demonstrated that
it can help deliver the Council's commitment to innovative and educationally
effective use of technology. I'm delighted that we're working with an
organisation that shares our commitment to educational improvement.'

                                    - 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. In February
2006 RM announced it had signed the first BSF ICT contract to be awarded; a £6.4
million contract with Solihull Council.

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. Partnerships for Schools, the government agency
responsible for delivering the BSF programme, has set a budget of £1,450 per
pupil (over five years) for the delivery of managed ICT services in BSF schools.



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