Schools and Learning

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Including Men in Schools Conference on 14th June 2010 such a great day.

I was in Leeds last week delivering a seminar to students who are in their last year of university training to be teachers. Their lecturer Carol Potter, has developed an eight week module in their course which focuses on the importance of including fathers and men in their practice.

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!

Looking forward to the BBC4 Season on fatherhood.

A century of fatherhood, the biology of dads and disappearing dads are some of the programmes scheduled. Wonder what they will have to say about some of the issues we face every day - such as trying to ensure that dads as well as mums are supported in their roles as care givers by family services.

From the historical perspective this ties in nicely with the Family Man through the Ages programme developed by Fathers Plus and the NE Museums Hub.

From the BBC4 website - follow the link below to find out more.

Children North East Fathers Plus in partnership with The North East Regional Museums Hub have developed a new exciting website that looks at how dads and family men have lived throughout history.

The Family Man Schools outreach programme has now been running for six months and is very popular with dads, granddads, family men and their children. Schools and teaching staff are also experiencing the benefit of having family men involved in their children's learning.

Richard Moss of the BBC's Politics Show hosts a debate with founder of Kids Company and social campaigner Camila Batmanghelidjh, writer and journalist Beatrix Campbell, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle Paul Richardson and Roger Olley of Children North-East as they argue over the place of men in today's and tomorrow's world.

Follow the link below to hear the debate on BBC iplayer

Improving Outcomes in the Economic Downturn: Free Support for Children and Young People

In the current economic climate many local authorities and partner organisations are facing significant challenges in meeting increases in demand for services. With resources already stretched it is vital that all staff including strategic planners, policy makers, practitioners and volunteers are made aware of a significant, valuable resource that is available free of charge and has been proven to help improve outcomes for Children and Young People.