Woman's World - The Primary School

"I felt awkward going to school - it was only women who did - it just wasn't a man thing. It didn't seem right." Colin, a parent at Sanquhar Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway, reflects on how he used to feel about going into school. The series on men with jobs in female workplaces begins with the story of Alex Douglas, the only man in the staff room. Alex talks about his battle to get men like Colin to engage with the school. Five years ago - after only one man turned up for a parents' evening - he set up a Dads' club. Alex explains how he persuaded Sanquhar Dads to join the club (he drew on his background as a professional photographer) and then managed to keep it going. "In most primary schools, because it's a female environment, the female view takes precedence", he argues. "When my children were at primary school, I was available to help out during the day, and not once was I asked. But my wife was." Chris Ledgard meets Sanquhar staff, parents and children who talk about how Mr Douglas' good idea changed a school culture.