Dudley Council has signed a new four-year contract with the business which supplies IT to borough schools – after bosses hailed their work in helping to keep children learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

The local authority has been working with RM, a supplier of IT and technology to educational settings, since 1999. RM provides the council with a fully managed ICT service for 79 primary, secondary and special schools - known as Dudley Grid for Learning (DGfl) - and employs 24 people in the borough.

The contract was due to end this year but has now been extended to August 2025. The new deal, worth up to £10.2 million, will see RM take on additional schools and develop new services including the development of cloud-based services for schools. Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for commercial and customer services, said:

"Our priority during the Covid pandemic has been to provide our schools with a highly effective ICT provision, supporting schools to learn new skills and work differently to educate the pupils of the borough.

"We are pleased to be able to offer schools a best value contract that offers social value back to the community. RM employ local people, providing an excellent service supporting the education of Dudley children and young people."

For more information on how RM could support your school or trust, visit rm.com/education.