Count On

Resources:

• 
  
  • Misconceptions
  • Maths Performers
  • Adult Numeracy Core Curriculum
  • Summer Numeracy
  • It all adds up
  • Top Jobs
• 
  
  • KS3 Maths Framework
  • Numeracy Framework
  • Leading Maths Teachers
  • PR Toolkit
  • Mathematical Association Resources

How to put your school's good news in the media

Stories submitted to your local media are more likely to be used if they feature a strong element of local and human interest.

Angles and ideas for media stories and features can include:

Profiles: for example:

• An interview with the Headteacher on why you became involved with Count On;
  • You wanted to get parents involved in maths homework?
  • You wanted to launch a Maths Club or maths trail?
  • You wanted to tackle boys underachievement in maths?
  • You wanted to involve a local business in a maths project?
• Include:
  • what are the aims of your project or idea?
  • who is involved, how does it work?
  • what have been the gains so far?
• Other profile ideas could be:
  • Talking to a Parents Family Numeracy Group;
  • Welcoming the school's new Maths Co-ordinator;
  • The PTA's fund raising for maths equipment;
  • Parents success in a token collection scheme.

Photo-opportunities: for example:

• opening new facilities such as a new maths or computer room;
• purchase of new maths resources and equipment in classrooms or the school grounds;
• Family Maths Evenings;
  • Parents having fun with their children learning practical maths;
  • Parents and children following a maths trail in the school grounds or local park
• Class visit to museum, gallery or historical site highlighting a maths angle;
  • Children following a maths trail around a musueum;
  • Children studying the maths of the Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Elizabethans, Victorians;
  • Children holding/studying historical maths artefacts;
  • Children studying the "Golden Rectangle" in pictures in a local gallery
• VIP visits:
  • Local MP "goes back to school" to do some maths;
  • Local Mayor or Councillor congratulates Year 6 on SAT's results;
  • Local dignatory or celebrity presents new computer or maths software to the school
• awards and other ceremonies:
  • winners of the Maths Marathon Times Tables Competition;
  • launch of the Chess Club/Board Games Club

Achievements and success stories: For example:

• The School's Maths Week;
• Tokens collected for redemption scheme;
• One year down the road with the National Numeracy Strategy;
• a first: eg; ability group setting of Year 6 children for Maths;
• child achieves Level 6 in KS2 SAT's;

A 'day-in-the-life' of a member of staff: For example:

• the maths special needs assistant or teaching assistant;
  • this could include, for instance, their progress or training and how maths has made a difference to their quality of life/career.

A local radio phone-in: You may wish to appoint "an authority" on a subject who is prepared to talk to the press, radio or tv about a particular subject or area of the school. For example:

• an aspect of your involvement in Count On;
  • the importance of improving numeracy skills for employment prospects;
  • advice for parents on helping children with maths homework;
  • how parents can improve their own numeracy by doing maths with their children;
  • schools getting involved in business partnerships for Count On

Remember: make sure your parents, local agencies, businesses or other clients are happy to participate in your publicity if you intend to use case studies.