How do you get a reluctant youngster to read? As MATTHEW WOODCOCK discovered, parent power can be the answer and not only in the home.

There is a new secret weapon being used in the fight to inspire York schoolchildren to read more. It is dad-power!

Heworth Primary School recently held a "Dad's Reading In School Week" in an effort to improve reading among its pupils and encourage fathers to get more involved in school life.

Up to 20 dads turned up during the week to listen to their own children and other pupils read from a variety of books.

Andy Rowe, from Bootham, father of five-year-old Kitty, listened to Phoebe Fitzgerald, five, read "This Is Me".

"I think it's fantastic," Mr Rowe said.

"It's ten times better than going to work - I could stay here all day!

"It's really important for children to read because it develops their education."

Andrew Hindle, whose children Robert, four, and Ruth, seven, attend the school, sat with six-year-old Kieran Mook as he read Monkey Tricks, about adventures in the zoo.

"Heworth is a very community-based school and I read to my children at home, so this was the obvious thing to do," he said.

"It's very important for dads to come into the school. Many don't often get the opportunity because they have heavy work commitments."

Mr Hindle's daughter Rosie, who is currently reading "Polly Polestar" said: "I love reading Enid Blyton books and particularly the Famous Five."

Heworth head teacher Dave Brown said the initiative was designed to encourage dads to share in their children's education.

"Often dads, because of work commitments, don't manage to get into school," he said.

"I think it's important to get good male role models into school, because primary schools can often be quite female-dominated places.

"Working in partnership with parents is really important.

"Reading is not only an important life skill, its also good fun and relaxing. I've been really pleased with the response we've had."

Meanwhile, Heworth School was recently awarded the Gold Arts Mark for outstanding work in the creative arts. As part of 'Big Art' week, local illustrator Lucy Monkman worked with every class to produce a huge piece of art, to which every pupil contributed.

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, June 29, 2005