Civica, as the ICT partner for Sheffield City Council’s BSF programme, has helped to ensure that Yewlands Technology College, the first local school in the programme, opened on time and with a new ICT Managed Learning Environment (MLE) and IT managed service for over 1,000 pupils and staff.

The LearnSheffield MLE integrates a number of applications utilising Microsoft Learning Gateway and SharePoint 2007 technologies, plus Vista and Office 2007.  It has linked the central database with other electronic systems such as Capita SIMS, Electronic Registration, CCTV and Access Control. It also incorporates a number of Civica’s own products including the ICON income management system and the SPYDUS library management system, which automates school library services to provide a unique learning experience across Sheffield.

“The benefits of the new MLE and managed service are enormous,” said Angela Armytage, Headteacher at Yewlands School & Technology College. “It is changing the way we communicate, develop teaching and learning and saving leadership time to focus more effectively on our core purpose of raising standards.”

Sheffield’s BSF programme is led by the Local Education Partnership comprising Sheffield City Council, Partnerships for Schools and Taylor Woodrow Construction. Civica continues to design, develop and manage the LearnSheffield MLE to help transform Sheffield’s secondary schools whilst delivering best value. The first phase of the project covers nine schools for which the contract value is £10.44 million.

Simon Downing, chief executive of Civica said, “Civica is helping to provide a modern foundation for learning and collaboration for students, teachers, schools and parents in Sheffield. We believe this programme will transforms the educational environment using our new technology platform, and we are delighted to deliver the real benefits, on the ground, that schools of the future can offer."