Children’s University

What is The Children’s University?  

Described by the Sunday Times as ‘The University of Fun’, The Children’s University is a charity which encourages all children aged 5 to 14 years to try new experiences, develop new interests and acquire new skills through participation in innovative and creative Learning Activities outside of the school day. Learning Activities are designed to raise aspiration, self-esteem & confidence and to encourage curiosity and a love of learning.  Activities should enhance motivation and build resilience, introduce new life experiences and offer progression in learning and personal skills development.

Parents can obtain a passport from the public library to record their children’s activities, or collect one from their own participating school.  If a passport is obtained from Toftwood Infant School or Toftwood Community Junior School then it will be free to children attending these schools. Call in at the school office and ask about it!  Please note there will be a charge if a replacement passport is needed.

Who stamps the Passport to Learning?

The school co-ordinator will oversee this for all school-led Learning Activities. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for handing their Passport to Learning in when asked by school staff. Activities need not be added separately each week – most schools update the Passport to Learning half termly or termly.

For activities at Public Learning Destinations children should normally have their Passport to Learning stamped by the learning provider.  If this is not possible, the school co-ordinator can add the hours if provided with proof of participation.

What Learning Activities count?

Learning Activities must take place outside the normal school day, this could include before school, lunchtime and after school clubs, as well as weekend and holiday activities.  Only activities at Learning Destinations which have been quality assured (validated) by The Children’s University can be included.  Please note that not all school clubs will be validated.   Schools will ensure children know which clubs are included.

Who decides how much time to include for each activity?

A recommended range or set number of hours is attached to each validated Learning Activity.

Our key principle is that the hours included relate to Learning within an activity, and will not necessarily include the whole session.  As an example a Youth Club meeting lasting 2 hours may only be eligible for 1 hour of Learning Activity to be recorded in the Passport to Learning as some of the session will be given over to socialising, an equally important part of the evening but not a formal learning experience.  A visit to a validated attraction, such as Norwich Castle Museum or Gressenhall Rural Life Museum may be part of a family 6 hour day visit, but not all hours will be eligible for inclusion on the passport.  As a general guideline 2-3 hours would normally be counted depending on the length of the visit.

How do I support my child to include a range of activities?

Encouraging children to try new activities and unfamiliar experiences, and promoting independence in learners is a key principle of Children’s University learning. Within any award there should be a mix of activities, ideally no more than a third of any award spent on a single activity.

For example:  A 30 hour CU Award could be made up of:

• 10 hours of Swimming Club activities (practice, competitions, coaching)
• 4 hours of Brownies (Badgework is the main focus of learning)
• 10 hours of school clubs (e.g. Chess, Cookery)
• 6 hours of music (tuition, practice, performance)

What about regular clubs and Activities out of school?

As well as signposting new activities, we also want to encourage children to become resilient and persevere with an activity they are good at.

Regular participation in validated uniformed organisations, sports clubs and teams, music practice and performance can all be included in the Passport to Learning.

To maintain the breadth of learning, individual clubs, groups or activities should account for no more than 30 hours in any one school year, or ten hours per school term.

For further information about The Children’s University and Learning Destinations please refer to www.childrensuniversity.co.uk or www.norfolk.gov.uk/childrensuniversity

The Children’s University Co-ordinating teacher at Toftwood Infant School is Mrs Reeve.

Enjoy learning with the Children’s University!