RM Education and the Haringey Tecxitement Room

RM Education has been working with Haringey Council since 2008 on a five-year managed service contract, as part of the BSF programme.

Haringey Council were keen schools had early access to ICT, informing spending decisions. To do this a technology library was introduced where a pool of technology was provided for the schools to loan on a trial basis.

In order that the BSF schools benefit from this technology in the later stages of the project, a decision was made to combine this pool of technology with a separate "Innovation" budget to create a project-based classroom dedicated to the practical use of innovative ICT.

It was important this classroom was in a location all schools could access, encouraging collaboration as well as individual class projects. Heartlands School was in a prime place in the centre of the borough. And with its single year intake, wouldn't be at capacity until 2013. With this, 'The Innovations Room' was conceptualised.

If we were to implement just one aspect of what we're learning today I think the whole environment would change, motivation would change and ultimately it's about attainment and I think it would affect their attainment levels as well.

Babar Mirza - Director of ICT, Northumberland Park School

The idea of moving the technology library into a usable space was already an exciting prospect, even more so due to the innovative approach taken to the project - student representatives designing the space.

RM Education worked with the ICT forum to identify a group of students (two from each school) to work on the project. Hosting events in the RM REAL Centre (Oxfordshire) students cross-collaborated on ideas about what the room could offer and the type of ICT equipment they would like to include.

Students were able to think creatively about the space, and really put their stamp on it by renaming the Innovations Room the 'Tecxitement Room'.

After receiving the designs, RM Education worked with group partner Isis Concepts to review the designs and amalgamate the best parts to make the space work for all involved. Haringey schools are truly buzzing about what this new facility will do to enhance and bring more life to their learning. Creating an exciting and multi-purpose space, shared across the schools means that teachers can use it in different ways to inspire their pupils; share best practice and collaborate with each other.

What's clear is that RM Education is very much aware of what's happening in schools, they are very much aware of education and they are giving us ideas and ways we can enhance and deliver teaching and encourage learning in the classroom.

Babar Mirza - Director of ICT, Northumberland Park School

Have you heard what they're saying?.......

Read what the press had to say about the Tecxitement Room:

'Spread the Knowledge' says Jack Kenny in his article for the Times Educational Supplement. Read more...

'Let's get Tecxited!' - Jonathon Hills looks into the project in more detail in his in the November/December 2011 edition of Education Executive. Read more...

Leadership Focus Magazine is 'Getting Tecxited in North London'. Read more on page 39...

Want to find out more?...

The Tecxitement Room provides teachers and learners from Haringey's BSF schools with a fantastic shared resource packed full of the latest inspiring ICT. Come along to see for yourself how you can use this great new facility to support your school.

To book a session in the Tecxitement Room, please contact Ralph Ellis - rellis@rm.com