“I’ve never been on a Family Man day before and it is REALLY cool!” says Sunderland Pupil aged 8

The Family Man schools project is going really well and I’m delighted how it has been embraced by local dads and male carers especially in Sunderland.

Each session we usually have about 15 dads book to come along and enjoy a fun day in school, but to Diamond Hall infant’s School in Sunderland’s surprise, they had 90 men sign up for their session!

The Head Teacher is over the moon as she has tried various family learning initiatives over the years with little luck at attracting dads. Now almost half the whole school’s family men want to come along for a day in school, it has been a fantastic boost for the head and staff.

We are now holding five more sessions in that school so each of the 90 dads gets a chance to attend.

Due to the huge uptake the school’s PSA is going to set up a dads group in school and has also commissioned us to deliver more Family Man Days in the Junior school next door.

In total in Sunderland we are delivering 12 days in local schools before the summer break with more being booked in all the time.

So what is our secret? The kids invite the dads with a personal invite – we give them school dinners and a chance to dress up as a Roman Soldier!

I’m so pleased with how the programme has grown. Over the last year I have delivered the sessions to over 600 men with another 195 booked in to attend before the summer holidays.

It’s really something the dads want to come along to. To see the children’s faces when their family man walks into the dinner hall is very special and a great moment to share with them. I can’t wait for the next one.