The Children’s University (CU) Trust is a charitable trust that provides 7 to 14 year olds (and 5 to 6 year olds with their families) with exciting and innovative learning activities and experiences outside normal school hours. They celebrate achievement and reward participation through award certificates. Raising children’s aspirations is important and the organisation aims to develop the understanding that learning can be “…a satellite navigation system to better places in life…”.
A Passport To Learning has been created, in which 7 to 14 year old children – and 5 and 6 year olds with grown-ups – collect ‘stamps’ and hours of accredited learning. 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.
The Children’s University in Suffolk has a mission to make sure that children have a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom, and that children and their families truly understand the power and potential that learning can unlock.
Museums across Suffolk can take part in this initiative and become learning destinations with a difference. Suffolk’s many wonderful museums offer creative learning out of the classroom and a chance to discover and learn in a hands on environment. Gainsborough’s House, Christchurch Mansion, the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum and The Long Shop Museum are certified Learning Destinations offering children the chance to explore art, aviation and technology through fun event days or simply a visit to see the museum’s collections.
The Children’s University is open to all and it is often a surprise, to many, to learn that, by the time a child turns 18, they will have only spent 9% of their waking life within a school classroom. Using their unique “Passport to Learning” scheme, Children’s University encourages children to record their participation in an increasing number of hours of learning, beyond the school day, working towards a University-style graduation, which recognises achievements and reminds us all of the endless possibilities that children have.
Celebrating achievement and recognising potential is what the Children’s University is all about.
For more info, or to find out how to get involved contact Debbie Bennett, essexcumanager@hotmail.com