Thomas Nelson & Sons joins Acorn and Tesco in 'Computers for Schools '94'

14 March, 1994

Acorn Computers, the leading provider of computers to UK schools and number one supplier of 32 bit RISC based personal computers, is joining forces with Tesco for the third year running on the highly successful 'Computers for Schools' scheme. This year's initiative, which enables schools throughout the UK to claim free Acorn computer equipment in exchange for special vouchers collected from Tesco stores, takes on a new dimension by including CD ROMs, educational cassettes and other reading materials from Thomas Nelson and Sons, one of the country's leading educational publishers.

Last year's scheme proved a phenomenal success, with over 11,000 schools receiving a combined total of more than 30,000 pieces of Acorn computer equipment. This year, Tesco was keen to extend the promotion in such a way that would complement the core focus on computer hardware and at the same time introduce a new and topical angle for schools. With these criteria in mind, Nelson, noted for its excellence in the field of educational publishing and one of the first to combine multimedia with literacy materials and books, stood out as the obvious third participant for 'Computers for Schools '94'.

Schools collecting vouchers this year will be able to choose from a specially selected range of Acorn computers, CD ROM drives, exciting CD ROM titles and newly designed learning materials. The scheme's new emphasis on multimedia is expressly designed to help open up this developing technology to schools. It follows the Department for Education's recent move to acknowledge the growing importance of integrated media by providing funding for primary schools to purchase CD ROM equipment.

John Tuttle, Sales and Marketing Director at Thomas Nelson and Sons, commented:

"Computers for Schools '94 is the first community marketing scheme to address the multimedia requirements of schools. It will provide a welcome boost to government efforts to fund resources in this area.

"At Nelson, we are delighted to be able to make our CD ROM and related book products available to schools through this scheme. It is one part of our commitment to assisting teachers in developing children's new literacy skills."

Peter Talbot, Acorn's General Manager, UK Education, expressed his support for the scheme's new focus:
"We are extremely pleased that Tesco has invited Thomas Nelson and Sons to participate in 'Computers for Schools '94'. Their expertise in educational publishing and, as their acquisition last year of Interactive Learning Productions (ILP) illustrates, their firm commitment to grasping and using new technologies such as multimedia make them the ideal partner for Acorn in this year's scheme.

"During the past year, projects such as the Hampshire based Horizon multimedia authoring project, sponsored by Acorn Computers, have shown that the creation and use of applications integrating a variety of visual and aural media can help children develop the literacy skills they need today. 'Computers for Schools '94', through its extensive range of Acorn and Nelson products, offers schools a practical and achievable way of obtaining the very latest computer and multimedia equipment."

Founded in 1978, with 1992 revenues of £48.2m, Acorn Computers is the premier supplier of IT solutions to UK education and has been the leading provider of 32-bit RISC based personal computers since 1987. In 1990, Acorn established am associate company, Advanced RISC Machines (ARM), in a joint venture with Apple Computer and VLSI Technology Inc to develop and exploit further Acorn's RISC processor technology. Acorn works closely with a strong community of other industry partners, users and software developers to provide innovative technology solutions for the education, consumer, publishing and international markets. Acorn Computers Limited is part of the Acorn Computer Group plc, which went public on the USM in 1983.

Thomas Nelson and Sons Limited was originally founded in 1798 with the mission of making books affordable to the public. From this tradition, Nelson has grown into one of the UK's leading school book publishers. Its special interests include the teaching of reading in primary schools and of modern languages, science and geography in secondary schools. Last year, Thomas Nelson and Sons acquired Interactive Learning Productions (ILP), and established Nelson Multimedia to exploit emerging technologies such as multimedia in the development and delivery of learning materials. Thomas Nelson and Sons is part of the Thomson Group plc.


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