Children’s University
What is it?
Doncaster Children’s University is part of a national organisation which validates high quality out of hours activities for children and young people aged 5 – 14 years of all abilities. Learning opportunities are being provided by this school through after school clubs as well as organisations both in the local community and nationally.
The Children’s University aims to inspire children, raise their aspirations and to develop a love of learning in a range of environments. In Doncaster, the Children’s University is supported by Doncaster College; the District’s largest provider of Further and Higher Education.
All children/young people who join the Children’s University are given a ‘Passport to Learning’ in which they can collect stamps and stickers to demonstrate the number of hours of learning they have achieved. Over time children/young people may work towards nationally recognised certificates celebrating their hours of learning. On achievement of a certificate they will be given the opportunity to attend a Doncaster Children’s University Graduation ceremony.
The last Graduation Ceremony saw over 180 children graduate in ceremonial gown and mortar board and was a fantastic occasion.
CU Passports to Learning
The School will stamp/sign the Passport for every hour of learning achieved during an extra-curricular activity (ie any after-school or lunchtime clubs). Children are responsible for their own Passports and it is very important that they take care of them as lost records cannot be accessed.
Children and young people can also collect stamps in their Passports at Learning Destinations across the country. This gives you the opportunity to link your family days out with the learning taking place at school. To find out where these are, visit www.childrensuniversity.co.uk and click on the Learning Destination section or speak to school.
CU Online
You/your child will record and track their hours using their CU Online account. CU Online has now replaced the previous e-passport system and the physical counting of Passports to Learning. The use of a Passport to Learning is now optional and can be used if you/your child prefers to have a physical log of their CU hours but they will no longer be counted in school unless you are instructed otherwise by your child’s school. If you are unsure you can also ask the CU team and we will be able to advise.
For a fully comprehensive guide to Children’s University, including detailed information on how your child can earn CU hours and how those hours will be monitored, please see our Guide for Parents.
What is a Learning Destination?
Learning Destinations are places which offer extra-curricular activities. There are many Learning Destinations to visit in Doncaster, we currently have over 100 activities listed on CU Online to discover. Family attractions such as the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Doncaster Museums are included in addition to libraries, local sports clubs and groups such as Beavers, Cubs, Brownies and Scouts, DCLT leisure centres, organisations like CAST, outdoor centres such as Sandall Beat woods and Potteric Carr and many more. Planning a day out or holiday? Your child can earn hours at any CU Learning Destination, so check out the CU Trust website to discover others all over the country. Look out for the CU Learning Destination logo wherever you go!
All Doncaster CU Learning Destinations have been validated by our team to ensure they offer high quality learning opportunities and experiences. Please note – our team does not check things like insurance, safeguarding policies or DBS checks, it is your responsibility to do so.
Current Learning Destinations
To find current local and national Learning Destinations, visit childrensuniversity.co.uk/activity-search
If an organisation/club is not a Learning Destination and they would like to be or are interested in finding out more information; you can ask them to contact us on 01302 553791 or email us at [email protected].
Rewards
Children are rewarded with bespoke CU Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates. The following table shows them all:
| Certificates | Bronze | Silver | Gold | |
| Undergraduate | Award | 30 | 65 | 100 |
| Certificate | 130 | 165 | 200 | |
| Diploma | 230 | 265 | 300 | |
| Degree | 330 | 365 | 400 | |
| Postgraduate | Award | 430 | 465 | 500 |
| Certificate | 530 | 565 | 600 | |
| Diploma | 630 | 665 | 700 | |
| Master’s degree | 730 | 765 | 800 | |
| Doctorate | Doctorate | 830 | 865 | 900 |
| Fellowship | 930 | 965 | 1000 | |
