Children’s University

At Hillside, we are determined to prepare children for further education and beyond. We believe all pupils should be equipped with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Cultural capital can be described as the essential knowledge pupils need to be educated citizens. Having the skills, knowledge and attitudes to thrive in this ever-changing society is vital if our children are going to aspire and achieve, particularly in further education and in the world of work. With this in mind, we currently work in collaboration with Staffordshire University on a project called ‘Children’s University.’ Children’s University is a charity that works in partnership with schools to develop a love of learning; this is done by encouraging and celebrating participation in extra-curricular activities in and outside of school. Our school motto, ‘Developing the Individual’ underpins the experiences we provide in school and we recognise our children need so much more than just classroom based learning to be the best that they can be.

Providing extra-curricular clubs and encouraging children to develop their individual strengths is integral to creating well-rounded individuals and we believe that our children should be rewarded for their dedication, talent and perseverance outside of the curriculum. Children’s University provide a platform where our children can record the time spent on extra-curricular activities. Attending clubs such as taekwondo, football, swimming, cookery or dance to name a few will earn them signatures in their ‘Passport to Success.’ When our children have reached a target amount of time on an accredited activity, they will receive a signature, stamp or sticker in their passport. Once they have achieved the specified amount they are rewarded with a certificate and the opportunity to attend their own graduation ceremony at the end of the academic year. This fantastic experience not only celebrates their wonderful achievements but also gives our children the power to achieve goals and be a success in whatever career path they choose.

This project is aimed at children from Reception to year 6 and is funded by Hillside’s supportive PTFA. The resources, letter and passport template for Children’s University can be found below: