NORTHERN IRELAND technology firm Northgate Information Solutions has won a £29 million (€36.75 million) contract with Kent county council to improve ICT in schools.

The investment, which will include 11 schools initially and 25 more in phase two of the project, is part of the Kent Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, worth £1.8 billion.

Northgate will provide students with access to "N-able", an online learning environment that provides personalised learning areas and is accessible from any location via the internet. Students can use N-able to store work and access e-mails, while teachers can use resources to assess a student's work through a digital toolbox.

Schools can use N-able to streamline management systems, incorporating into one location pupil records such as attendance, coursework and exam results.

David Hyland, managing director of Northgate's education division, said the project would ensure each school had "significant technology resources" to help make education engaging.

Northgate has developed a flexible ICT strategy with desktops, laptops, networked projectors, interactive whiteboards, handheld devices and wireless coverage.

"By equipping our BSF schools with state-of-the-art ICT facilities we will not only improve the business of education through a more efficient school management process, but also raise attainment and transform the educational opportunities available for young people," said Grahame Ward, Kent BSF programme director.