What is Children’s University?

Children’s University is a programme that aims to improve the aspirations and attainment of pupils by encouraging, tracking and celebrating participation in learning activities beyond the normal school day, such as after-school clubs, projects and enrichment activities, and work with local destinations and learning providers such as libraries, sports clubs, historic centres, museums, or anywhere that offers structured learning activities for children. There are also a wide range of online activities.

Pupils use an online platform to record participation in these activities and these are rewarded by the collection of credits, certificates and graduations.

Why are we partaking in the Children's University Programme?

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

In 2017, the EEF (Education Endowment Foundation) published an efficacy study of Children’s University which showed a direct link between participation in Children’s University and increased achievement in reading and maths. Children in Children’s University schools made two additional months’ progress in reading and maths compared to children in the other schools (control group)

How does it work? 

• We will encourage all pupils in Year 5 and 6 to take part.  Any pupil, from Year 5, who would like to access the programme at at later date will be granted access and registered on the online portal.  . 
• Mrs. Whitehurst and Mr, Stokes have been named as the school-coordinators and will manage the Children’s University programme.
• As pupils complete after school or extra curricular activities, teachers will provide opportunity for pupils to log this on the Online Portal to be awarded stamps.
• When pupils have acquired 30 stamps+, they will take part in a bronze graduation event in the summer term.  This may be in school or even at Wolverhampton University. 

For every pupil that takes part in Children's University, they will: 

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. 

On Tuesday 20th June 2023, Year 5 and 6 visited the University of Wolverhampton for a special graduation event! The children were given caps and gowns to wear and they were presented with a beautiful certificate! We even had the pleasure of listening to a guest speaker talking about her time at university and all of the adventures she took part in! Well done everyone; you were all incredible!
To see the many, many photographs, take a look at the Year 5 and 6 class pages.

On Thursday 29th October 2022, we held our first Children’s University Graduation. 

10 pupils in Year 6 achieved their Bronze Award. They had a fantastic graduation celebration in the main hall with their friends and parents watching in the audience. It was a fantastic experience; well done to all of the children who graduated! 

Year 5 and 6 took part in a Lego University STEM workshop, as part of our Children’s University relaunch.  All pupils worked collaboratively to build an element of a university campus.  At the end of the session, each section was combined to create a complete model of a futuristic (and very imaginative) university campus.