Children’s University
The Children’s University is a critically-acclaimed charity which encourages children, to participate in new and challenging experiences via high quality ‘Restricted Learning Destinations’ in school e.g. school clubs. Children are also able to learn new skills be visiting ‘Public Learning Destinations’ outside of the school day e.g. a trip to a museum with family and friends, at approved Children’s University ‘Learning Destinations’.
The aim of The Children’s University is to provide children with additional skills, experiences, and opportunities will enhance pupils resilience, independence and personal development.
Children’s University at Barlows
Barlows Primary School is very proud to be part of the Children’s University programme. As part of our school curriculum, all of our pupils from Year 1 and Year 6 are automatically enrolled in the Liverpool Children’s University. All all of our school activities allow our pupils to gain credits towards various awards (1 hour of learning = 1 credit). At the end of the academic year, all children who have gained 30 hours or more of learning will attend an official graduation ceremony where they will receive certificates for their achievements wearing caps and gowns.
Bronze = 30 hours
Silver = 65 hours
Gold = 100 hours
However, hours are cumulative, and are carried forward each year so that students can continue to ‘count learning hours’ until they achieve 1000 hours and become ‘Fellows’ of the Children’s University.
Passports to Learning:
As part of the Children’s University, parents/carers are invited to buy a ‘Passport for Learning’ which will record the number of hours their child has acquired as part of their extra-curricular activities. This will allow them to gain additional credits from visiting Learning Destinations across the North West and further afield. At validated ‘Learning Destinations’, children can collect stamps which represent their hours of learning. These may be clubs at school or public destinations such as City Museums, Art Galleries, and local libraries.
Passports can be acquired from the school office at a cost of £2.50
Graduation
Watch a clip from our graduation here
Our pupils showed they were top of the class when they graduated at Liverpool Hope University on Tuesday 11th June. 72 of our pupils aged 5 to 11 donned their caps and gowns to celebrate their learning achievements whilst taking part in the Children’s Hope University program at Barlows Primary School. During our ceremony, Jeff Dunn from school’s parliament gave an inspiring speech illustrating the aims and aspirations behind the children’s university whilst our very own school choir graced us with a captivating performance. All the staff at Barlows are very proud of the achievements made by the children and look forward to seeing them continue to progress throughout the Children’s University program. Well done to all of our graduates!
Which organisations / activities are validated Public Learning Destinations?
Here are some examples of the local PLDs that are available:
Croxteth Park Farm
TATE Liverpool
Walker Art Gallery
World Museum – National Museums Liverpool
Merseyside Maritime Museum – National Museums Liverpool
Museum of Liverpool – National Museums Liverpool
International Slavery Museum – National Museums Liverpool
The Beatles Story
Everton Football Club
Kingswood Education and Adventure Centre
Full details of the local and national PLDs are available on the National Children’s University Website:
http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/home/learning-destinations/
What should I do if my child’s club is not validated?
If there is a club / organisation that you feel would make a suitable PLD, they can apply to become a Learning Destination through School Improvement Liverpool (contact details are available in the school office).
Children’s University Timetables
Christmas Event
Part of our drive with the Children’s University is teaching pupils the value of contributing to our local community. With this in mind, we hosted an event after school to welcome retired members of the Emmanuel Church Community into school. During the event pupils provided refreshments and entertainment for our visitors during this event. All the children and our visitors greatly enjoyed the event!
Club Photographs
