GREEN LIGHT FOR 'DADS & SONS' CAMPAIGN

28 Feb 2002 10:14 AM

Minister for Young People and Learning, Ivan Lewis, will today launch the National 'Dads & Sons' campaign at the Daytona Manchester racing track.

Joining him in pole position are England and Manchester United stars Gary and Philip Neville, along with their dad Neville, revving up to encourage other dads to take an active role in their sons' education.

The 'Dads & Sons - a winning team' campaign is specifically aimed at fathers of 11-14 year old boys, encouraging them to boost their sons' interest in education and learning by taking a greater interest in it themselves. At an age when boys' enthusiasm can flag, seeing their dad as a positive role model can provide a huge boost.

A survey amongst parents due out in March will find that dads are not as involved as mums in their children's education, with just 12% of men claiming more involvement than their partner, as compared with 72% of women. However the research will also show that an encouraging 75% of fathers of school-aged children say they would like to be more involved.

Speaking at the event, Ivan Lewis said:

"Dads often have a special bond with their sons, and we need to draw on this to help boys in their first few years at secondary school. We hear a lot about boys underachieving at school, so it is vital that we help to redress the balance and re-engage boys at an early stage. A positive learning environment at home, as well as a strong role model in their dad can make a world of difference."

Gary and Phil Neville, a driving force behind the campaign, are great believers in the importance of the relationship between dads, sons and learning. Also speaking at the launch, Gary said:

"Sport has always played a huge role in our family, and right from day one Dad got us involved. Dads can really influence their sons by taking an interest in their education and hobbies - this not only improves their performance at school, but creates a healthy atmosphere at home."

A 'Dads & Sons - a winning team' hints and tips booklet is also published today, providing advice and ideas for fathers on how they can get more involved with their sons' education, as well as suggested joint learning activities and competitions to enter together.

The campaign is also being supported by other organisations. Adrienne Katz, Executive Director of the youth information group, 'Young Voice', added her support:

"Young Voice welcomes this innovative campaign by the Department for Education and Skills which will alert Dads to ways in which they can help their boys. Our research among boys and young men shows strong links between an involved Dad and his son's attitudes towards school and learning. It showed too that other father figures could make this key difference. But men were often unaware or uncertain about what to do to help."

Sir Robert Salisbury, Chair of 'Fathers Direct', a national information service for fathers, and professor of education at Nottingham University said:

"Dads want all their children - sons and daughters - to develop to their full potential. We have seen the magnificent strides that girls have made recently, showing what can be achieved when they are properly supported. This initiative's particular focus on sons and the help dads can give them should help boys to make similar progress in their education."

NOTES TO EDITORS

This Press Notice applies to England.

1. The 'Dads & Sons' campaign is part of a wider Government agenda to increase parental involvement in children's education, and to redress the balance between boys' and girls' achievement levels. In 1997, the DfEE published the White paper 'Excellence in Schools' which stated, "the Government recognises that parents play a crucial role in helping their children learn." It set out a number of initiatives to encourage parents' closer involvement in schools, including the requirement for schools to produce - in consultation with parents - Home-School Agreements which set out expectations about attendance, discipline, homework and the information schools and parents will give to one another.

2. In 1999, MORI, working on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment, carried out a telephone poll based on a quota sample of 1,000 parents of 5 -11 year olds in England, which investigated parents' attitudes to issues such as homework and the literacy hour.

The Department for Education and Skills commissioned the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) to conduct a further survey of 2,000 parents in England from 21st November 2001 through to 19th December 2001, in order to follow up some of the specific issues arising from the MORI study and to assess the impact of recent Government initiatives to increase parental involvement.

The report will be published in March 2002, however key findings relating to this campaign were: a. 75% of fathers of school age children say they would like to be more involved in their children's education. b. When asked who is more involved, themselves or their partner, only 12% of men say they are, compared with 72% of women. c. 1 in 4 men say they only attend parents' evenings "sometimes" or "never", compared with only 1 in 10 women. d. 2/3rds of fathers say that they would like to be more involved, but pressures of work stop them doing so.

3. One million copies of a hints and tips booklet have been produced. These will be made available free of charge through branches of Asda, Comet, William Hill, Moto service stations, Warner Village Cinemas and Pontins. Copies can also be ordered by telephoning 0845 6022260. The booklet also includes a competition to win two VIP tickets to the FA Cup final with sponsor AXA, and a chance to win a family holiday at Pontins.

4. The campaign is aimed at fathers of sons aged 11-14 years, and is supported by a 'hints and tips' booklet, also launched on 28 February, as well as a dedicated website. The national event will be followed by 5 regional events throughout March 2002. The Dads & Sons Campaign is part of the Government's wider Parental Involvement Strategy.

More information can be found on the Dads & Sons website at the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/dadsandsons

CASE STUDIES:

Manchester Dad Tackles Son's Education

Manchester father Ronnie Marshall is in the perfect position to tackle the specific needs of boys. Having twins Daniel and Amy gives Ronnie the chance to understand the encouragement that boys need.

"I've definitely found from firsthand experience that boys can be more easily led than girls, especially when they're with other lads. Daniel would rather do social activities than sit down and do his homework, even if there's the prospect of McDonalds when he's finished"

"To try and help, I've sat down with Daniel and worked out a plan for when he needs to get his work done. I realise that any support is helpful, even just a simple question 'what have you done today?' shows that you care."

Being from an Afro-Caribbean background and living in an inner-city area throws specific challenges to Ronnie as a dad. "We've got the usual inner city social problems here. So, it's more important than ever that I teach Daniel certain things. He knows that he has to try if he wants to achieve, nobody is going to hand him everything on a plate. "

Ronnie is also Chair of Governors at Wilbraham Primary School in Fallowfield and sees the role that schools can play in helping boys. "Fathers always have an excuse not to be involved in school activities. If there were more school initiatives relating to dads' interests, then hopefully dads would become more involved."

Cabbie Drives Sons' Education

When he isn't ploughing through London's busy streets, black cab driver Mark Shulton is making sure that his sons, Grant (aged 8) and Scott (aged 12), have the best educational start to life.

Despite sometimes having to contend with irregular work shifts, Mark makes sure that he spends time with his sons in activities that they all enjoy. "I always go to watch the boys play for their football teams on Sunday. We also enjoy going to West Ham together at the weekend, even when they lose! It's really nice though, because it means that we share the things that we enjoy."

In addition to having fun together, Mark is keen to seize the opportunity for his boys to grow. "We talk about football a lot and I try to emphasise the importance of team work. Sport also teaches them to always do their best and to never give up trying to achieve their goal"

Like most fathers, Mark is eager to see his sons fulfil their potential at school. But he also knows that supporting his sons can be just as effective as forcing them to learn. "I check their homework when it's needed and help with projects too. But, just asking them about their school day is just as important. It means that they know I care."

It's not only sons who are learning from their fathers either. "When I see my sons learning, it makes me feel good too, like I've achieved something important. They even teach me a few things, although I'm still not too keen on their music!"

"At the end of the day, most sons look up to their dads as role models, even though none of us are perfect. If I can tell my boys where I've gone wrong, hopefully they won't make the same mistakes. Teaching them to try their best at school is the first step on that road."

PRESS ENQUIRIES:
POLI STUART 020 7925 5107
polina.stuart@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

RACHEL GRANT 020 7925 5392
rachel.grant@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES:
0870 000 2288
info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

NEWSDESK:
020 7925 6789
newsdesk@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

OUT OF HOURS MEDIA CALLS:
07659 105 993

INTERNET ADDRESS :
www.dfes.gov.uk

If you would like to receive email notification of new press notices in the subjects of your choice, please click on 'register' on our site: www.dfes.gov.uk, 'Latest News'.