1. Reporting and Writing 1 Phone bashing

2. Tools Yell.comBt.comDirectories Google Groups & organisations

3. Tools Groups &Finding the right source sometimes means thinking organisationslaterally… E.g. You need to find someone who remembers bombs falling on Canterbury during the Blitz… Try: Military history societies Royal British Legion Military veterans’ groups Residential homes

4. Tools Groups &Finding the right source sometimes means thinking organisationslaterally… E.g. You need to find someone who owns an exotic snake, as an “expert” on the dangers after one escapes: Try: Specialist pet shops (yell.com) Zoos (yell.com) RSPCA (Google or phone book)

5. Fishing for info Basic tipsAlways be polite but firm – don’t go straight into Paxman mode. Say you’re a journalist but don’t lie. “I was hoping you can help me. I’m a journalist working at the centre for journalism in Medway and I’m looking into a story about………….” Think about questions in advance Make sure they’re open (i.e. not yes or no answers) but also drive the conversation down the path you want Don’t be afraid to ask people to pause if you’re behind with your notes.

6. Your patches… Maidstone Paige and Sheryll Medway Ola and Victoria Tunbridge Wells Nageen and Helen Ashford Alex and Georgia

7. Your patches… Sittingbourne Cian and Michelle Sevenoaks Amy N and Clara Gravesend Jade, Zeynep and Nathalie Dartford Katie and Uzoma

8. Your patches… Margate Cecily and Sanam Canterbury Danielle and Jasmin Tonbridge Stine, Amy F, and Luyin Sheerness Sophie and Daniel

9. The challenge Our storyWe are a regional newspaper, putting together a detailed report into how employers in Kent view Michael Gove’s plans to reform A levels. We want to know: Do A-levels give 18-year-olds the skills they need to find work, if they decide not to pay out to study at uni? What background research do you need to do? Who should we be calling? How do we find them? What questions should we ask?

10. The challenge BackgroundMake sure you understand Gove’s proposals – and where your town is! SourcesBusinesses with apprenticeship schemes or which are likely to recruit young people. Finding themSearch for apprenticeship schemes in Kent on Google Go through job centres or student career advisers Yellow pages QuestionsHow many A-level leavers do you recruit? Are they well prepared for doing the work? What do you think they are best at? What do you think needs to improve? Will the new Abacc help?

11. Essential details NameAgeJob title Company name Where based Other details

12. The challenge To find the best quote from the best source to go into this story, by 5pm on Friday. You only need to find one good quote from a relevant source. It must be obtained over the phone, from the town you have been assigned. Make sure the quote is at least 30 words long. I only want the words your source said, nothing more. Email it to me in this format: James Smith, 58, managing director of My Company in Sittingbourne, said: “Insert quote here.” Any extra detail and his phone number should go at the end.