As a result of a comprehensive review of schools’ IT and ICT needs, The Moray Council concluded that appropriate provision could not be achieved by conventional funding routes. For this reason, the Council followed the PFI path and entered into a public/private partnership with ICL Education Systems.

The key focus of the PFI is to provide pupils in Moray with the opportunity to maximise the benefits from ICT within their educational experience and at the same time equip them for their role in tomorrow’s workplace.

The total PFI package for the Integrated Education Management System, whilst wide-ranging in its provision, centres on the critical role of the new information and communication technologies in enhancing and enriching teaching and learning, removing barriers to learning and, ultimately, in helping raise educational standards.

Within the Integrated Education Management System there is provision for:

• All Primary and Secondary Schools in Moray will be equipped with ICT systems which will enable schools to directly connect to the Government’s National Grid for Learning;
• Every pupil will have an e-mail address thus meeting the Government’s target for 2002;
• Controlled and monitored access to the Internet;
• An Integration Education Team – a specialist team providing Secondary and Primary Schools with support in integrating the technology into the curriculum;
• Curriculum integration packages available on the network;
• All schools will be equipped for Internet based video-conferencing thus opening opportunities for Distance Learning;
• All schools equipped with a new digital telephone switchboard;
• Significant enhancement of school security in the form of security cameras linked to computer systems;
• All schools linked to the Phoenix First Management Information System;
• Enhanced access to the central Financial Management System which is being increasingly customised to the needs of DSM;
• A full helpdesk service and network management support.

• A comprehensive package of ICT services for schools facilitating enhanced delivery of the curriculum, security, finance support systems, communications and management information systems all of which meet Government targets;
• A high specification of managed services providing uninterrupted provision for schools;
• Service level agreements resulting in financial penalties for the provider in the event of inadequate service;
• Significant risk transfer to the private sector;
• Guaranteed ICT refresh built into the contract.

• Provision of major systems to The Moray Council;
• Provision of a broader base for ICL to develop further business opportunities in the North of Scotland;
• An opportunity for ICL to demonstrate its capabilities in implementing the National Grid for Learning;
• An ability to share on revenues generated from any joint ventures developed on the basis of the assets.

Sponsor – The Moray Council
Contact: S McCalman, HSA (Depute) Planning & Resources (Tel 01343 563119)
Contractor – ICL Education Systems
Signed – November 1998
Capital Value - £12.5m
Contract Length – 7 years
Consultants – Eversheds, Leeds
Scottish Office Contact – Andrew Clearie PFI Unit (0131 244 7419)