Schools Projects Break Taboos as Dads’ Involvement Proves Best for Children

FIONA MACLEOD
EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT
Scotsman.comNews

RARELY seen inside the school gate, they are a notoriously hard-to-reach group. But these are not troubled youngsters playing truant or among the growing tide of disaffected teenagers dropping out - they are fathers.
The few who do venture inside the school gates are often subject to suspicious looks from over-protective mothers. However, in a groundbreaking project in Dumfriesshire, Sanquhar Primary School created Scotland's first Men's Group to encourage fathers to become more involved. It has been so successful that a second group at Kelloholm Primary in the next village has also been set up, and another is being mooted for nearby Closeburn Primary. The charity Children in Scotland is holding the group up as a model of good practice, and experts say ensuring dads are involved is best for all kids.
To entice men through the gates, Sanquhar primary teacher Alex Douglas offered a free photograph of children and their dads. Having had a positive experience of school, the men were given the chance to join a new Men's Group and there was instant support.
Three years on, the group has a core of more than 30 men who choose from activities such as making model cars and assault courses.
As a man in a traditionally female profession, Mr Douglas saw men were often unconsciously excluded. He said: "Parents' night would be organised on the same night as big football matches and a lot of things were run during the day, because primary schools are mainly run by women who tend to see things from the women's point of view, rather than the men's.
"And a lot of the dads were reluctant to come because of the suspicion surrounding a man hanging around a school playground.
Steve Harvey, development and information officer for the fatherhood project at Children in Scotland, said the Sanquhar group has sparked interest across the country.
"Comprehensive research shows boys and girls who have positive male figures in their lives do better at school, are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system and have more healthy lives. Some children can get to secondary school before they have any contact with a positive male figure."
Professor Donald Christie, of Strathclyde University's department of childhood and primary studies, agreed fathers play a crucial role.
"There is no doubt that the more a child's parents are actively involved in, and engaged with, their children's education, the better it is for their child.
"If there are good partnership relationships in place to have parents involved in what's going on at the school, then that's better for all concerned."
Peter Simpson and his son Jamie, 12, attend the Sanquhar Men's Group. He said: "I would like to think it has brought me closer to Jamie. I work nightshift and he's got his own pals, so it is giving me good quality time with him."
But it is not just the children who benefit, as Peter has returned to learning through the club.
"Last year, I asked them about computer learning," he said.
"Around eight of us went along to learn the basics about computers and I've asked about a course on digital photography."

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Last updated: 15-Oct-07 23:04 GMT