Warwickshire News Mine

The children picked up their awards in recognition of the work they have done outside of school hours as part of Warwickshire County Council’s involvement with the Children’s University.

Children from All Saints C of E Primary School in Leek Wootton, Kingsway Community Primary, Lillington Nursery and Primary School, School’s Out at Cubbington Primary and St Paul’s C of E Primary were among over 150 schoolchildren from around Warwickshire to attend the ceremony. 

The Children’s University has been offering Central Warwickshire schoolchildren aged 7-13 years (Key stage 2-3) a diverse range of modules to take part in after school, ranging from claymation, ‘Practical Pirates’, Photoshop, Spanish, crazy Chemistry, techno vehicle building, ‘Ancient Rome – Background to Latin’ and basic land surveying.  Kids’ College offers similar opportunities for children aged between 5 and 7 years (Key stage 1).

31 schools from Warwick District were among 110 across the county to take part in the Children’s University, organised by the county’s Extended Services team which aims to maximise the use of schools after hours via various partnerships.  Well over 50% of the primary schools in Warwickshire have signed up to the Children’s University which, according to a 2009 report entitled ‘Extra Mile Project’, ‘broadens pupils horizons … (by providing) … cultural opportunities beyond the budget of local families.’

Each module requires a certain amount of time to be spent learning and having fun; for Kids’ College a module requires six hours of learning which goes up to eight hours for Children’s University.  At this point, a certificate is presented to the children in assembly at school.

As children attend an increasing number of modules, awards go up from starred certificates through to bronze silver and gold medals or in cases where children have achieved 12 or 15 modules (a total of 96 and 120 hours), High Achievers or Special awards are given, respectively with children attending a graduation ceremony at the University of Warwick.

The Children’s University accredits activities that schools are offering as well as using registered CU partners.  The school then has the responsibility of recruiting children and providing a safe venue for the course to take place in. 

Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, said:  “Young people are at the heart of the county council’s aspirations for the future of Warwickshire and we will continue to look at ways of making sure that they have opportunities to broaden their ambitions and talents.

“It has been a wonderful night to see so many young people receive deserved recognition for developing themselves out of school hours. They are a credit to their schools, the county and, most of all, themselves.”

Liam is a year 6 pupil at Lillington Nursery and Primary School.  He has completed modules in various activities including tag rugby, football, tai chi, gardening, cooking and boxing and won a special award.  He said:  “I enjoyed doing all the activities especially touch rugby and I am getting fitter and stronger.  I can cook a nice meal too and I’m growing pumpkins and green beans.”

Lauryn, a year 5 pupil, won a gold medal, and said:  “I’ve been doing sports so am getting nice and fit.  I have also done a course in computer components and might get a job in computers after I have finished school.”

Link to WCC