Customer
The BSF programme is of course the largest ever government investment in the education sector with schools across the UK being transformed into world-class educational establishments. For local authorities not involved in BSF however there is the opportunity to participate in the One School Pathfinder (OSP) programme.
Chessington Community College, formerly Fleetwood School, was previously vastly underperforming and in today's terms would have been considered a failing school. It was identified as having the greatest need for improvement within its area and in 2006 the school was awarded a £23 million grant for refurbishment and rebuilding work and has since become the first OSP to open in the UK; an incredible achievement for the entire school and everyone involved throughout the process.
Today Chessington Community College has successfully shaken off the troubles that engulfed its past. Through the sheer resilience and determination of many, it has bounced back. It now occupies an attractive site in the south of Kingston and serves the community as an 11 - 18 co-educational school with Specialist Sports College status and facilities for adult further education.
The Contract
Ramesys* were selected as the ICT partner of choice for the for the Chessington Community College OSP project due to their expertise and strong track record in the implementation of ICT infrastructures designed specifically for education environments. The schools’ ICT partner needed to have the capability to truly understand their needs to design and install a flexible, secure, fit-for-purpose 21st century learning and teaching environment with ICT at the core.
Ramesys* designed and installed a bespoke ICT infrastructure for Chessington Community College tailored to their present needs, whilst being fully scaleable for any future ones.
A wide range of new and innovative technologies have been implemented as part of the new ICT infrastructure at Chessington to revolutionise ways of learning for pupils at the re-developed school including the ‘Cashless Catering’ payment system, video conferencing, laptops and interactive whiteboards.
Benefits
The OSP programme provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for Chessington Community College to really shape the environment in which pupils learn. The school has been rebuilt from the ground up, thoroughly embracing the opportunity to champion the principles of OSP status and they now plan to share their experiences with other schools in the borough. The new school will be an asset for the community as not only is it designed to provide first class education facilities for the students, it will also serve the adult education and community groups outside school hours.
The ICT network designed and installed by Ramesys* has transformed the shape of education delivery in Chessington and future generations will reap the rewards of the new ICT facilities and services for years to come. Chessington Community College is now proud to be at the heart of the community.
“The results are incredible; it is futuristic from a structural and technology perspective and is aesthetically appealing. With an investment in ICT topping £1 million, the technological resources that Ramesys* has integrated throughout the college are state-of-the-art. From ‘Cashless Catering’ and video conferencing to laptops and interactive whiteboards, ICT has certainly transformed the College.”
David Kemp
Principal
Chessington Community College
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*Ramesys is now part of Capita IT Services. Ramesys was acquired by Capita IT Services in March 2010