Last updated at 17:17, Wednesday, 30 January 2013

AN MP is getting in touch with the youngest members of his constituency.

HELPING OUT Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has been working as a classroom volunteer at Greengate Infant and Nursery School. He is pictured with Dylan Roper, six ASHTON BOWRON REF: 50043734B007

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has been working as a classroom volunteer at Greengate Infant and Nursery School most Friday mornings.

Mr Woodcock works one-to-one with Year Two boys, hearing them read and helping them complete numeracy tasks.

The Barrow school does not have any male teaching staff, so the MP is helping Greengate provide a positive male role model for boys.

Research shows boys lag behind girls with reading, and schools are working on schemes to close the gap. Mr Woodcock is helping show the boys reading can be fun and the dad-of-two is a natural with the pupils. The six and seven-year-olds are enthusiastic about reading the stories to him and they also like having a chat about football and hobbies.

Dylan Roper, six, chose Jack and the Beanstalk for the latest reading session and was also keen to tell Mr Woodcock about the characters.

Headteacher Caroline Hoggarth said: “An issue in this school is that we don’t have any male staff.

“John cares about what is happening in education. We are very privileged to have him helping in school. It is benefiting our pupils.”

A number of other positive male role models have been visiting the school to work with the children. Mr Woodcock said: “In a lot of infant and primary schools the teachers are overwhelmingly women. They do a fantastic job, but it just means in the classroom there are fewer male role models.

“When I had to cut down on my workload after my accident (falling off a ladder) I really wanted to make sure I could give something back and I felt this was a way I could make a contribution. I’m really glad I’ve done it and I’d like to keep doing it, and perhaps in other schools in the future, if other headteachers are interested in that.

“I absolutely love it. I’ve got two little girls, and this has been working with boys and it is a joy that they are excited to see me and want to show me their work. They are so enthusiastic and they have got really good skills. The one-to-one time can really boost children’s confidence.”

Mr Woodcock said he hopes schools can tap into more male volunteers. He also said his volunteering has increased his respect for teachers and teaching assistants.

First published at 16:59, Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk