Dads in Bradford are being urged to turn over a new leaf and brush up their storytelling skills to improve their children's reading in a pioneering scheme.

The 'Dads and Reading' project is to be piloted in the district - one of only seven education authorities chosen from across the country to launch the initiative.

Five schools will take part in the scheme which involves teachers working with groups of dads or male carers to help them guide their children through education.

The project aims to bring more dads on board the learning process - usually seen as mum's domain - and show children that reading is not just for girls by providing them with positive male role models.

Education committee chairman Councillor Jim Flood said it was important for dads to get stuck into a good book with their children.

"Mothers are traditionally the main figures who spend time at home helping their children improve their reading, but it's also important for men to get involved too," he said. "I speak from experience. I have found few meetings as rewarding as meeting with my children over a story."

Five schools - Grove House First, in Bolton Woods, Drummond Middle, in Manningham, plus Our Lady of Victories RC Primary, Highfield Middle and Eastwood First, all in Keighley - have been selected to take part from May to December.

A series of workshops will be set up in each school for around 15 fathers of children aged between six and 11 who have volunteered to help boost reading skills during or after school time.

The project results will be analysed by researchers at Sheffield University, who are working on a project to develop new teaching materials aimed at mums and dads.

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