* The Institute of Public Relations (www.ipr.org.uk), 15 Northburgh Street, London EC1V 0PR. Tel: 020 7253 5151. The institute promotes all aspects of the public relations industry. You can find details of training courses and workshops, and order books online. There’s also a section entitled “Looking for PR” with advice on how to choose a consultant. It can put you in touch with IPR-registered consultants in your area, and even identify ones who have experience of working with schools. It’s all very accessible - with a “jargon-buster” glossary of PR terminology for those who find it daunting.
* The DfES website has guidance titled “Quick and Simple PR for Schools”. Go to www.teachernet. gov.uk and enter “PR schools” into the search facility.
PUBLICATIONS
* Good Publicity for Schools: a practical guide by Alison Falconer (Optimus Publishing, pound;19.99). Authoritative and accessible. Lots of advice on dealing with the media; also covers prospectuses, websites and advertising.
* Schools in the Spotlight: a guide to media relations for school governors and staff by Tim McClellan and Nigel Gann (RoutledgeFalmer, pound;16.99).
The following, while not school-specific, may still be useful. They are all available from the IPR website. The first three are published by Kogan Page.
* Public Relations - a practical guide to the basics by Philip Henslowe, pound;9.99.
* Effective Writing Skills for Public Relations by John Foster, pound;14.99.
* Risk Issues and Crisis Management by Michael Register and Judy Larkin, pound;14.99 .
* Handling Publicity the Right Way by John Venables (Right-way Publishing, pound;4.99).
COMPLAINTS
* The Press Complaints Commission. Tel: 020 7353 3723; www.pcc.org.uk.
* The Broadcasting Standards Commission (radio and television). Tel: 020 7233 0397; www.bsc.org.uk.
* The Radio Authority. Tel: 020 7430 2724; www.radioauthority.org.uk.
