Educational software company RM has seen its profits rise by up 20 per cent in the last six months.

The firm, based at Milton Park, near Didcot, unveiled a pre-tax profit of £1.2m for the half year to March 31, compared to £1m fior the same period last year.

Chief executive Terry Sweeney said: “Sales momentum continues across the business and we have seen good progress in each of our divisions.

“We anticipate further progress in the second half and growth for the year as a whole.”

He added: “The mood music of the new Government is for public spending cuts, but we shall adjust to policy changes and believe there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

“A modern school requires modern technology and helping teachers to teach and learners to learn is what we are about.”

Mr Sweeney pointed out that RM’s business is seasonal and that first half results are therefore not a good indicators of results as a whole for the year — because schools schedule major installations of equipment during the summer holidays.

He said: “Over the last five years we have broadened the range of education products and services we sell, significantly increased our international footprint and built a substantial order book.

“These factors, combined with a strong customer loyalty from our individual schools customers, make RM a resilient business which is not dependent on any one product or market area.”

RM has three main divisions: Learning Technologies provides ICT (information and communications technology) products and services, principally for schools.

Education Resources provides curriculum-focused products for use in school classrooms. Its market objectives are to grow its UK market share and to establish an international presence by working with channel partners.

Assessment and Data Services provides technology outsourcing and process management services to support the delivery of testing and assessment. Its market objectives are to expand its UK position by driving further use of technology for assessment and to further develop its international business.

RM also announced its intention of seting up a joint venture with Danish company Lego to provide educational software in Europe.