At Rimrose Hope CE Primary School, we are proud to be a member of The Children's University Trust. Children’s University is a charity that works in partnership with schools to develop a love of learning in children. They do this by encouraging and celebrating participation in extra-curricular activities in and outside of school.

Research shows that participation in extra-curricular activities can positively impact on attainment, increase a pupil’s positive identification with school, and build self-confidence and resilience. Children who participate in Children’s University have the opportunity to learn in a rich range of contexts, experience new places, visit universities and attend their own graduation ceremonies.

At Rimrose Hope CE Primary School, raising children's aspirations is important to us ,our children are provided with a range of learning experiences to enrich their cultural, physical, mental and spiritual development, so that they become self-confident and positive individuals who take responsibility for their own healthy choices and life style. It is our hope that our partnership with Children’s University will help promote a love of learning, help develop links with organisations in the local and wider community, and continue to develop children’s confidence and aspirations for the brightest of futures.

What is Children’s University?

Children’s University is a charity that works in partnership with schools to develop a love of learning in children. This is achieved by encouraging and celebrating participation in extra-curricular activities in and outside school. Research shows that participation in extra-curricular activities can positively impact on attainment, increase a pupil’s positive identification with school, and build self-confidence and resilience.

Children who participate in Children’s University have the opportunity to learn in a rich range of contexts, experience new places, visit universities and attend their own graduation ceremonies. This adventure introduces children to the joy of learning, brings a sense of wonder in the world around them and develops their confidence and aspirations for the brightest futures.

How does it work at Rimrose Hope?

As a school we offer a wide range of after-school activities from Reception upwards. Every time a child attends an after-school club the time they spend is logged on the club register. In February each year, the total hours for the previous year is calculated with each hour being one credit. Hours are banked and accumulate year on year. As well as after school clubs, children can gain credits by completing home school challenges as part of our Hope Award. 

From Year 2, the children are invited to attend the Children’s University Graduation Ceremony at Hope University in March. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the children’s many talents, skills and achievements in their learning beyond the school day.

Do out of school clubs count?

Credits can be earned by attending other clubs but they must have been accredited by Children’s University and will be on a list of CU Learning Destinations which can be viewed on the Children’s University website. We also have a list of local accredited clubs on our webpage. 

To log the hours attended at a CU Learning Destination you will need a Passport to Learning in which to record participation in the quality-assured activities taken part in beyond the classroom.

A Passport to Learning can be purchased via our Parentpay app and are priced at £3 each. Take the passport along to the club every time you attend and hand it in to be signed and dated. School will collect these in for verification in February.

Do any other activities count?

Many museums and places of interest where the children extend their learning are recognised CU Learning Destinations – just check the list and take your Passport along to be stamped or signed. An afternoon out could earn up to 2 credits.

How do the credits work? 

Every time a child attends an after-school club or completes a school home learning challenge, their hours are collected and totalled up.  They will receive one credit for one hour extra learning.  

Bronze = 30 hours 

Silver = 65 hours 

Gold = 100 hours

The certificated are presented at a graduation ceremony at one of the local universities. 

Freshers’ Fayre 

To launch Children’s University, we held a Freshers’ Fayre where we invited local after school clubs in our community to come and promote and encourage children to access out of school clubs and organisations to promote the love of learning. We had a fantastic turnout from local organisations and they were met by equally enthusiastic children and parents who enjoyed learning about local clubs in our area.