Rob Scotcher was Waterloo Road's site manager during the first part of Series 7. He's a laid back bloke who's happy with the meandering pace of his career and life and wants to focus on the important things. Despite being highly intelligent, Rob threw away his own chance of an education. He happily spent his teen years getting stoned and going to gigs, but realises kids these days can't just rely on 'life-experience' in an ever-competitive world. Rob enjoys the work – he likes the pupils and is a 'people person' who could never spend all day behind a desk. The hours are great and his flexible routine gives him the opportunity to spend time on the things he's passionate about: books, music and his son Aiden.
Rob's pride and joy is his son Aiden – despite the fact that he runs rings around his old man. Rob has spent the last few years raising Aiden as a single parent after his wife, Naomi, walked out of their lives. Rob was heartbroken, but, well aware of the effect it was having on Aiden, picked himself up and became a devoted dad. Rob is determined Aiden will rise to greater heights than he has, but Rob pushes his son hard with Aiden in a constant state of rebellion. When they first meet, it's clear that Rob and Karen don't really have a lot in common, but it's not long before their opposites are complementing each other with Rob enjoying showing Karen that life doesn't always have to be experienced at a breakneck speed. That is, until Naomi returns wanting to give their marriage another go...
During his short time at Waterloo Road, Rob also formed a close friendship with Daniel Chalk, acting as a mentor for Daniel's teaching methods, giving him "tactics" on how control a class, as well as both acting as each other's confidants.
Quotes
- "Now, Mrs Fisher. Put the lamp down." (first line)
- "So what you been teaching these kids, racketeering?"
- Aiden: "Don't worry, mate, he's not my responsibility."
- Rob: "Brave words from somebody who used rubber sheets until they were 12 years old."
- "Just when I thought I'd worked in every loony bin possible, well, this place, I mean...mind you, I could've done with a headteacher like you when I was growing up. You'da kept me in line."
- "You get another girl pregnant, you're on your own, son."
- Karen: "I thought we said it wasn't going to be a date."
- Rob: "Well yes, we did, but we're here. And I'm wearing a shirt."
- "You're not doing this. You're not gonna make a fool of me again, so just pack your bags - you know, like you did last time. And leave, please." (to Naomi)
- Rob: "See what you've done? I told you. Happy now?"
- Karen: "You knew about this?"
- "Karen, is what I've done really so bad, or are you just angry with everyone in the world because of Charlie?"
- "So where's Aiden? Back out on the prowl, is he? Oh well, lock up your daughters!"
- Rob: "OK, Aiden, there's something else you should know. Jess is pregnant, and it's yours, her mum just told me."
- Aiden: "I'll put some stuff into a bag and I'll just go."
- "Well, that's not gonna happen, so um, you get yourself in there, and do what you'd do any other day. Your job. Which you're bloody good at."
- "You have got a nice smile." (final line)