Rob Hattersley

picture of Rob Hattersley

Rob has taught in several primary schools around the UK, most recently as a deputy head. He also had the opportunity to work for a major house-builder in setting up a school and community programme across the Midlands and South-East. He''s now using his experience to develop programmes which incorporate the objectives of businesses, local authorities, campaigning groups, charities and other organisations into the school curriculum through quality resources. He believes that much of the material produced freely for schools by business, charities and other organisations remains unused and ineffective because it does not take into account the real needs of teachers. Rob is concerned that well-intentioned central government direction, constant change and unnecessary paperwork is still depriving children of a relevant and exciting school experience delivered by energetic and creative professionals.

Communicate your messages through schools

Investing in curriculum resources for schools can be a very effective way of communicating messages on sustainability to wider audiences for local authorities.
Not only do the children in schools benefit, but you can also effect behavioural change in parents and the wider community, especially when school activities are promoted in the local media. This might […]

April 3rd, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Get out the vote

It’s coming up to election time again and local authority election departments might be wondering what turnout will be and thinking of ways to improve it.
For a small investment in a primary schools programme elections departments could: -
* generate excellent media opportunities highlighting the importance of voting
* […]

March 15th, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Building good relations

Building sites are dangerous places for children and building work often seen as extremely inconvenient to local communities. Local authorities and building firms can turn that perception around with a carefully planned schools programme. For example, visiting schools near your sites with a safety message could make children safer, reduce the danger of vandalism, and […]

February 22nd, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

A culture of pressure

Who can disagree with the idea that schools should do more of everything in the same amount of time - more culture, more sport, more topics, more writing, more reading, and yet it’s the Maths that doesn’t add up (Lessons in Culture for every Child (13.02.08)). It seems every Education Secretary comes in and needs […]

February 13th, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Promoting Voting

I’ve just been updating the Primary Vote website for the run up to elections in May. Primary Vote is a bank of resources enabling local authorities to promote democratic engagement in and through Primary Schools.
Primary children can’t vote, but they can act as highly effective ambassadors to parents, family, neighbours and friends in promoting the […]

February 7th, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Salty learning

It seems our children are still eating far too much salt and this is a health time-bomb according to this report. Despite the efforts of some food manufacturers salt is still used to cover up the lack of taste in the convenience and processed food that is still the staple diet of many children.
Again the […]

January 30th, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Think globally, teach locally

If your organisation is campaigning for change on transport, food, health, energy, justice or fairtrade issues, where better to start than by engaging with schools? Not only do the children themselves learn about the issues, but through them you reach parents, families, the wider community, generate excellent PR opportunities with local and national media, and […]

January 23rd, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Designing sustainable education

Building work is often seen as inconvenient by local communities, but with a good schools programme architects and planners can start reversing this impression, especially if your plans put sustainability at the core.
Local authorities will be impressed and firms can gain a competitive edge on the competition by offering to work with local schools near […]

January 9th, 2008 by Rob Hattersley

Two contrasting websites

I’ve enjoyed designing two new and very different websites in the last few weeks but both with a common theme: the desire for independence. First up was a site for the new Edgar Street Grid Business Association, here in Hereford. The ESG Business Association are concerned that they have not been consulted on plans to […]

December 4th, 2007 by Rob Hattersley

Climate change in schools

I’m amazed that the decision to distribute Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” to secondary schools in the UK has been challenged in the High Court. TeacherNet.gov.uk states: “The claim argues that use of the pack and, in particular, showing the film, An Inconvenient Truth, would place LAs and schools in breach of ss. 406 and […]

September 10th, 2007 by Rob Hattersley