Researchers from the University of Bath worked with local schools and families to assess the success of events to involve fathers (and father figures) in their children’s education and upbringing.

For Bath & North-East Somerset Council, 2012 was a year of Celebrating Fatherhood. On 22 June, 11 schools and 13 children’s centres and early years settings held events for Fathers’ Friday, an initiative aimed at strengthening fathers’ participation in children’s education and development.

The research found that the Fathers’ Friday initiative increased paternal involvement in children’s education and development and is likely to lead to continued participation in such events in the future.