FATHERS are not being included in the activities of their local schools as much as mothers, a new survey has found.

A poll by the Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC) concluded that some males felt school activities were not aimed at them and were put off as a result.

Other issues seen as preventing males from getting involved included activities taking place during working hours, although this was also a concern for mothers.

The report concluded: "Having more events and activities specifically aimed at attracting fathers and male-carers might improve levels of involvement.

"Another incentive for attendance would be if the activities were making use of the wide range of skills and abilities that parents can offer, including those typically associated with males."

The survey comes at a time when successful home-school relationships are seen as vital to improving school attendance and performance for pupils as well as being a key element in making a school stronger and more effective.

Research evidence and inspection data both show that schools that have learned to work well with parents can expect significant, consistent and lasting benefits.

Currently there is considerably lower participation by fathers than by mothers in schools although fathers tend to have greater involvement in learning activities outside school such as homework, leisure activities and outings.

Eileen Prior, executive director of the SPTC, said: "I think encouraging more fathers and male carers is about creating a diversity of role models.

"Simply being involved at primary school age teaches children that fathers have a role to play and not just mothers. Change is needed to achieve gender equality.

"Opportunity for fathers to get more involved in roles traditionally done by women is just as important as women having greater opportunity in the workplace."

The survey found that issues such as time constraints and work commitments were concerning for both male and female parents and carers.

However, it was also recognised that there was a wider cultural issue when it comes to fathers and male carers, with the workplace tending to be more flexible with mothers when it came to family commitments.

The report states: "The common themes from the comments were that being given more notice of activities and events and more of these being organised to take place outwith work hours would be better and enable more fathers.

"Several comments expressed frustration that schools made the assumption that the mother was the primary caregiver and that this did not encourage participation.

"Respondents also said that events and activities aimed specifically at fathers and male carers might create higher levels of engagement such as a bring your dad to school day or events centred on sport."

More than 85 per cent of those surveyed said their school had not run events targeting male parents or carers in the past.

Those that had included sponsored cycles and runs, involvement with school football teams and an annual BBQ on Father's Day.

Parents Voice is SPTC’s online survey group, comprising more than 1000 parents who receive online surveys on topics relating to education and schooling.