On this page you will find questions that have been asked by people who have contacted us to find out more about the Children's University.
What is the Children's University?
The Children's University is a national organisation offering children aged 7-14 an exciting and innovative programme of high quality learning opportunities outside school hours, with a focus on rewarding participation, raising aspirations and encouraging engagement with learning.
Children's University provision is delivered outside school hours, at weekends and in the holidays.
Why is there a ™ mark after Children's University?
The Children's University™ logo is a registered trademark and the Children's University™ name is a trademark of CU Trust, a registered charity (no. 1118315) and a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales (no. 6018900). The use of the name and logo is only permitted following authorisation by the national Children's University on behalf of CU Trust.
Who is the Children's University for?
The Children's University is aimed at 7 to 14 year olds of all abilities.
Is participation recognised and rewarded?
Children are encouraged to progress through the national certification scheme, based on their number of hours of attendance throughout their involvement with the Children's University. Initially, they will aim to gain a Bronze certificate, awarded for 30 hours of attendance. Thereafter, a Silver is awarded for achieving 65 hours of attendance, and a Gold for 100 hours of attendance.
What is a Children's University centre?
Local Children's University centres are diverse in shape and size: some may be quite small clusters of schools whilst others may involve much wider local partnerships of schools, universities and local authorities, as well as business partnerships, museums, galleries, theatres and other organisations. The national Children's University supports whichever approach will work best locally to bring benefits to children.
What do we mean by Children's University learning?
The strength of the Children's University is its flexibility to meet local needs through local CU centres utilising local learning opportunities. Our different centres offer high quality learning in many forms. While this may be in ‘traditional’ academic subjects, the Children's University also seeks to complement the work of schools by offering diverse opportunities and supporting innovative approaches to learning. A centre may offer art, astronomy or drama, music or maths, science or sport, philosophy, poetry or photography, or any combination of these and other subjects according to the expertise available locally. Children's University learning provision can be in any subject which can be studied as part of a degree programme at a UK university, as exemplified on www.ucas.ac.uk/students/coursesearch/ .
How do I set up a new Children's University centre?
In the first instance you should contact the national Children's University office for a discussion and advice. In the meantime, you can find out more about the national Children's University through the various sections on this website. You can also discover more about existing CU centres, where they are and what they do: existing centres will be more than happy to have an informal chat with you.
How do I become a member?
You will be a member of the Children's University once the appropriate form has been signed and your membership payment has been received.
How much does membership cost and what do I get in return?
Membership fees were introduced in April 2009. The membership charges were agreed by the Trustees following consultation with local CU centres. Annual membership charges are as follows:
|
Category |
Example/Description |
Fee
(£ per annum) |
|
Beginner |
Beginner CU; no children; status for a maximum of one year only. |
750 |
|
Small |
Individual school/academy; small collaborative of schools of between
1 and 10. |
1,000 |
|
Medium |
Medium sized lead-organisation such as Playing for Success, higher
or further education institution, small unitary local authority working
with a number of schools between 11 and 50. |
1,750 |
|
Large |
Large organisation such as a local authority working with a number
of schools between 51 and 200. |
2,500 |
|
X Large |
Local authority or other very large organisation working with a
number of schools between 200 and 350. |
3,500 |
|
XX Large |
Very large local authority working with more than 350 schools. |
5,000 |
National membership gives local CUs:
-
Possible access to project funding for start-up, expansion and emergencies
-
National certification
-
-
-
-
Website www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/CU
name
-
Annual national conference
-
National and regional CU managers' meetings
-
Training by national CU and partners
-
National research and evaluation through Leadership for Learning
-
Partnerships and networks at a national and local level
-
A partner in a national voice for out-of-hours learning
What about quality assurance?
The national CU is in partnership with QiSS (Quality in Study Support). There is an expectation on local Children's Universities that they will achieve the first of three recognition stages ('Emerged') within the first year of membership. This CU process is known as 'Planning for Excellence' and quality assures local Children's Universities organisationally.
'Planning for Learning' is a national framework for validating the quality of learning developed with Professor John MacBeath of the University of Cambridge: the copyright is owned by the CU Trust. CU trained validators will validate all learning provision and can award the national CU's 'Learning Destination' status to both external providers and schools. For schools, 'Learning Destination' status may form part of the evidence in their Self Evaluation Form linked to OfSTED inspections. External providers such as museums, libraries, discovery centres, galleries and sports clubs seeking 'Learning Destination' status should contact their nearest local CU.
Children aged 7-14 who are members of the national CU can use their 'Passport To Learning' in validated 'Learning Destinations' to work towards national CU certificates awarded through their local Children's University.
What funding is available? How do I apply for it?
Funding may be available from the national Children's University. Funding is available to help start a new local centre, or to help expand an existing CU. The funding period is 12 months and sustainability post the funding period is a key criteria. The first point of contact must always be the national Children's University office for an initial discussion.