17th January 2022
- This contributes to the award of a certificate, encouraging them to access Children's University provision and a wide range of other worthwhile out-of-school-hours learning opportunities.
- At the end of the school year, there is a graduation ceremony for the children and their parents/carers
- Bi-monthly Children’s University challenges set by Louise – these will be emailed out to CU leaders each time they are launched so that they can be emailed out to pupils.
- School holiday Children’s University Trust challenges
- Lunchtime and after-school extra-curricular clubs run in school
- Online and home learning activities
What is the Children’s University?
By the time a child turns 18, they will have spent just 9% of their waking life in a classroom.
Children’s University is about making the most of the remaining 91%, working with children and young people aged 5-14.
Research shows that participation in extra-curricular activities can positively impact on attainment, increase a pupil’s positive identification with school, and build self-confidence and resilience. Research also shows that children that do not have access to these opportunities fall behind, lack confidence, and fail to develop career aspirations. The resulting attainment gap is so significant that 25% of children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds achieve below expected attainment levels.
Learning happens all the time in lots of different places, at different times and in different ways.
How does the Children’s University develop skills?
For every child that takes part in Children’s University, we want the following outcomes:
- They feel they have grown in confidence and self-belief
- They have enjoyed new experiences, in new places and want to keep exploring
- They believe they have a broader range of essential skills
- They feel empowered to make positive choices about their future
- They see learning that is fun, aspirational and lifelong
- They feel their eyes have been opened to a multiplicity of learning activities and opportunities
- They feel celebrated for their commitment to learning by their family, school and community.