January 2010
Holt House Infants defy snowstorm!
Children from Holt House Infant School defied a snowstorm that ground Sheffield to a halt and showed true commitment to learning by attending Puzzle Club after school.
Having recently become part of Sheffield Children’s University, the school remained open into the evening despite the weather conditions so that children could stay to play a variety of games such as Jenga, and Snakes and Ladders, having fun whilst developing problem solving and strategy skills.
The children were awarded one learning credit for every hour of activity.
Success for Sheffield CU!
QiSS (Quality in Study Support) is the nationally recognised framework to support the development of quality provision in out-of-school-hours learning/Study Support.
We are very pleased and proud to announce that Sheffield Children’s University has been awarded Emerged Status. We are now working towards Established and will be inviting schools to contribute evidence of good practice to the Children’s University portfolio.
Sharing Good Practice - Sheffield CU Seminar
The Children's University Seminar took place on 30 September 2009 at the Mayfield Centre. This was a valuable opportunity for staff from CU schools to network and share good practice. 30 delegates attended from a wide variety of education services including Sheffield schools, the Learning and Achievement Service, The University of Sheffield and Conflict Resolution in Sheffield Schools (CRESST).
The presentations focused on inclusion, targeted support, resources and communication. Special guest speakers included Linda Moffat, Primary Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, Cheryl Smart, CRESST Project Co-ordinator and Mark Heaton, Senior Consultant, Engagement with Learning. Caroline Knight along with Sian Ellis from Sheffield Volunteering introduced the Professor Fluffy Raising Aspiration Teacher Resource Packs and involved the delegates in an inspiring activity session.
The seminar was a success with one attendee commenting that it was a “brilliant day – loads of ideas to run with”. Another said “very informative, loads of ideas. Also fun.”
Passport to Learning
A national CU Passport to Learning is being trialled in Sheffield, in which children can collect learning credits that contribute to their Children’s University Award certificates. The aim is to encourage children to take part in a wide 
range of worthwhile out-of-school-hours learning opportunities that take place off the school site.
Here in Sheffield, 4 schools volunteered to be part of a pilot scheme beginning in October half term holiday 2009 and children were able to attend activities at Weston Park Museum, Graves Art Gallery, Bishops House, Manor Lodge Discovery Centre and The University of Sheffield in the Winter Garden to collect stamps in their passports which are then counted as CU learning credits. We are continuing the pilot in the February half term holiday and are including local libraries close to the participating schools.
Sheffield CU Update
The autumn was a busy term here at Sheffield Children’s University. We held the Regional CU Managers Meeting at the Town Hall and in Sheffield we continue to grow with currently 28 primary schools, 2 special schools and 6 secondary schools actively involved and more coming on board every day.
A few diary dates - our next Primary Gold Awards Ceremony will take place at Sheffield Town Hall on 2 March 2010. Schools with Gold Award winners will be notified as soon as possible. We will be going to schools to present the Bronze and Silver Awards and will be holding another Primary Gold Awards Ceremony in the summer term.
The Secondary Gold Awards Ceremony will take place in the evening of Thursday 14th October 2010 at Firth Hall, The University of Sheffield.
Our websites are now updated, please keep sending us in stories and photos. You can also find us at www.sheffield.gov.uk/cu
About us
Sheffield Children's University is managed by Sheffield City Council Children and Young People's Service. As part of the Learning and Achievement Service, we work closely with our partners in the Extended Learning Team and have been affiliated to National Children's University since 2004.