Schools Out-reach Programme

Questions and answers

How much will a visit cost?

Whilst we support the Society of Authors recommended rates for School Appearances ranging from £300 to £500 per event, we adopt their minimum rate of £150 per event plus VAT and expenses. In fact we go one step further and with our current rate of £150 plus VAT and expenses per morning session and £200 plus VAT and expenses for a full day regardless of how many readings we are asked to deliver. We will review this from time to time.

What information do we need to provide?

Give as much information as possible about your own plans:

  • How many sessions are planned?
  • What is the duration of each session? Refer ‘Schools’ Link for optimum timings
  • What is the size and age-group of the audience?
  • Is any particular location preferable? To avoid disruption we ask you to provide a space for the duration of the Readings. The Library is always a good place - or a spare classroom. The aim should be to achieve an intimate space where the children can gather close to the Readers and the material being presented. Many schools prefer to have the children sitting on the floor with a rear bench or seats to confine the group within a working space. We can arrange the seating layout on the day.
  • Are there any particular areas you would like the Reader to focus on? Look at the current class work - for example are any classes focussing on story writing?
  • Are there Safety topics in the school curriculum and/or being promoted by your school that you would like us to deal with?

How should we prepare children for a visit?

Make sure they are familiar with the Hari Safety Awareness theme beforehand and get them thinking about questions to ask. In IT Classes log on to HarisWorld.com to introduce the children to Hari and the story - play a few games on the site - Spot the Hazards but leave some of these for the Reading! The Children just love to colour in the pictures and we can then judge these at the Readings and present the winners with a small prize - a Hari Bookmark perhaps. Our Hari Reading Information Pack will include all the help and guidance you require to make the visit a great success including promotional posters to put up in the Library or Hall.

How do we organise books for sale at a visit?

Sell on the day. Let parents know that books and merchandise will be for sale on the day. A good way to do this is to send out the 'order leaflet' provided in the Hari Reading Information Pack. This gives a brief description of Hari's World, web details and the prices of the books and accessories - AND Offers on purchases. This will allow children to bring the right money on the day if they would like a book signed by the Creator or Author or Reader.

Through the school. Many schools also prefer to buy-in a number of books to: (i) meet the demand after the Reading; (ii) for the School Library and Classrooms; and (iii) for Prize-giving. We will bring a supply of books and merchandise on the day.

How do we get local press coverage for the visit?

Two weeks before the visit, contact the local newspapers. If they are interested in sending a photographer and reporter, fix a time which won't disrupt your schedule. Give the News Desk our contact details and invite them to call us.

What equipment should we provide?

Hari's World is very visual and promotes class interaction. We usually read from the books. By utilising an in-house PowerPoint facility we can bring Hari's World to life even more effectively. If you have a PowerPoint projector available for the Reading please let us know before the visit.

Will you provide a Hari's World visit pack?

Once you book a Hari Reading we will send you our Hari Reading Information Pack. The pack offers a simple guide to ensure that you and the children get the most out of the day.

Is there a special price for books on the day of the visit?

We would be happy to negotiate a special price on our books for the day of the visit. Our Order Form notes prices for books and accessories - also Offers on purchases.

Are the Hari team CRB accredited?

All members of the Hari Team attending a visit are CRB accredited. We carry our documentation at all times for production as required.

How shall we look after the Hari team during the visit?

When the Reader arrives they will run through the plan for the day with you. Whilst much of the day will have been planned in advance, this is a good time to raise any last minute changes. Our Reader will fit in with your timetable. The Reader would appreciate fifteen minutes break between each session and, if they are with you for a full day, please allow a lunch break. Our Readers are not trained teachers, nor are they insured to look after school classes, so there should always be a teacher in attendance during the sessions. For larger groups we advise having two Teachers in attendance.

What is the optimum size of group?

The Hari Child Safety Awareness Series is aimed at 3 - 7 year olds. The optimum audience size is 25 with a maximum attendance of 35 children. We prefer two Teachers in attendance although this might not always be practicable but there must be one Teacher present. We have read to larger groups but this is not ideal as this can impede interaction with some of the children.

Can children ask questions?

We encourage children to ask questions as this promotes interaction and allows them to get the most out of the day. Why not get the children to construct their own Questions before the visit. The Questions should be relevant to the Reading and if these are focussed on current or future school work all the batter. Typical Questions are: “How did you think of Hari? Why is Hari a Green Elephant? How do you think up the story? How long does it take you to write and Hari book?

Is Hari linked to a charity?

Hari is not directly linked to a Charity, however through promotions, sponsorships, events and donations we try to support as many Safety-related charities as we can. Further we readily give books free to worthy organisations and agencies.

Walk to School Barnardos Dowman CSEC