NORD ANGLIA APPOINTED PREFERRED BIDDER FOR £10 MILLION 'VIRTUAL WORKSPACE' CONTRACT38027Nord Anglia Education PLC ('Nord Anglia'), the education and training company, has been appointed preferred bidder to deliver the 'Virtual Workspace' contract in Worcestershire and Wolverhampton - W2.Nord Anglia has partnered with eLearning4all at Euro RSCG Skybridge to deliver the educational ‘Pathfinder´ project, which will use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to create a learner support service for 25,000 young learners. Nord Anglia´s vision for the Virtual Workspace will take the form of an innovative web portal to engage learners between 14 and 19 years of age - both in and out of school - and improve motivation and achievement. Learners will be able to create a personalised web space for schoolwork, homework and leisure interests, accessible at any time from any Internet-enabled computer. The Virtual Workspace will be able to profile individual learning styles and propose tailored information and materials for an enhanced learning experience. The project will also link up with popular new technologies such as mobile phone text messaging. Support for Virtual Workspace learners will include: - A mentoring service, which includes real time communication with human mentors using LiveMentorTM – a unique ‘blended training´ method developed within Nord Anglia - A learner profiling system to allow learners to follow individual pathways through the online resources - A range of online training to familiarise learners with the Virtual Workspace and boost their ICT skills - A Continuous Professional Development programme for teachers and support staff - A range of digital content designed to support not only curriculum areas but also hobbies and interests - A range of communication channels enabling learners to benefit from online advice and guidance - An incentive scheme to motivate all learners "This ICT PFI is one of only four Pathfinder projects currently being developed in the UK and we are delighted to have been selected to deliver this innovative and exciting service for young people in Worcestershire and Wolverhampton," said Andrew Fitzmaurice, Chief Executive Officer, Nord Anglia Education. "Nord Anglia was chosen because we have the vision, the passion and the commitment to realise the requirements for the learners - working where I want, when I want and how I want," added Rosamund Marshall, Nord Anglia´s Director of Outsourcing. "This exciting and innovative project means that 14 - 19 year-old learners in both authorities will soon be able to learn and achieve at any time and anywhere there is an Internet connection," said Councillor Christine Irvine, Portfolio Holder for Education at Wolverhampton City Council. "We recognise the potential for ICT to transform the educational process and that the joint PFI ICT project with Wolverhampton LEA will establish Worcestershire and Wolverhampton schools at the forefront of the development of elearning in the UK. We look forward to working with Nord Anglia in the creation of this innovative service," said Julien Kramer, Director of Educational Services at Worcestershire County Council. Tony Chesters, Managing Director of eLearning4all at Euro RSCG Skybridge, said: "We are delighted to be partnering Nord Anglia Education in this development and look forward to creating a vibrant, interactive resource for learners. Our vast experience in delivering educational, motivational and incentive solutions will allow us to exploit emerging technologies to deliver curriculum materials and innovative online support services that will create valuable new learner experiences." The contract, which is worth in excess of £10 million, commences in April 2004 and will run until July 2011. For further information, please contact:
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