Course dates

National certificate refresher and mock exam - February 22, 23 and 24 2012 at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, just off the M5.

Delegates spend the first two days doing a mixture of papers in all three sections and listening to lectures on how to prepare for the exam day and approach each paper. The third day is a full mock exam. All test papers are marked and returned to editors along with a detailed course assessment which indicates areas needing attention prior to the exam.

Cost - £449 plus VAT.

Venue - Prince of Wales Hotel, Berkeley, just off the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester.

How local government works - Wednesday and Thursday March 21 and 22 2012

An ideal course for reporters who need to have a basic understanding of how local government works, the role of officers and councillors, who does what, local government finance, privilege, how to cover a council meeting, the Local Government Act 2000, cabinets, elected mayors, scrutiny committees, town and parish councils, standards board and election procedures. This two day course is popular with newcomers who will be covering a council and people seeking underpinning knowledge towards the NCTJ preliminary examination. It is also a useful refresher for those taking the National Certificate examination.

Cost - £395 plus VAT.

Venue - Exeter

How to run a good news desk - Thursday and Friday March 29 and 30 2012.

An ideal course for news editors, their assistants or chief reporters who need some training in how to run the news desk, or senior reporters being considered for promotion. The course covers all the basics, points out many of the problems news editors encounter and then identifies the solutions. In addition time is spent on the non-journalistic organisation/management skills required to run a successful news desk, spotting the real stories, delegating work fairly, motivating reporters and managing time well. The second afternoon is spent analysing how to handle people and how to get the best out of a diverse team.

Cost - £395 per person to include a cooked lunch on both days and ample tea/coffee and soft drinks.

Venue - Prince of Wales Hotel, Berkeley, Gloucestershire just off the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester.

Booking
To book a place send a return email after which written confirmation will be posted.