As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, we've partnered up with the Children’s University Trust to launch the Barnsley Children’s University.
The Barnsley Children’s University program works towards the goal of great childhoods made possible in Barnsley. They do this by offering pupils with chances to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence outside the school curriculum. This is a small part of the wider work taking place to give children from birth up to 19 years old the chance to be inspired, build ambitions, and achieve their goals. Listen to what Gawber Primary School had to say about taking part in the pilot.
Find out more about the Barnsley Children's University
What is Barnsley Children’s University?
The Barnsley Children’s University is a programme that encourages children and young people to take part in extra-curricular activities outside of their day-to-day learning.
Delivered through schools, the approach brings together a network of partners and organisations that deliver activities locally. Each activity is accredited by the Children’s University Trust to make sure they meet the standards that help children build new skills, confidence and knowledge.
Children will be able to access a wide range of activities, where they'll collect credits based on the variety of different activities they take part in. These credits count towards different certificates that can be achieved as part of the programme. Children can collect up to 30 awards.
I’m a parent or carer, how can my child be involved?
Children’s University is delivered through Barnsley schools. Please speak directly with your child’s school to find out if they’re taking part and how your child can get involved.
How can schools get involved?
If you work in a school and are interested in finding out more about the Children’s University, and signing your school up to be involved, please email barnsleycu@barnsley.gov.uk.
How can learning providers get involved?
If you host an extra-curricular activity and would like this to be validated as an official Children’s University activity, you can complete a short online form.
Once you’ve registered via the form on the website, a meeting will be set up with our Barnsley Children’s University team to make sure all documentation is in place to complete validation.
Signing up doesn’t require a significant time commitment, completion of the form and the meeting with the Barnsley Children’s University team should take approximately 60 minutes in total.
Barnsley Children's University graduation - July 2024
Throughout 2024 we ran the first pilot of our Barnsley Children’s University. In July 126 children successfully completed the programme.
To celebrate this brilliant achievement, the children, their schools, and their families were invited to a prestigious graduation ceremony at Barnsley Civic. They received their award and their hard work and efforts was acknowledged.
The children donned the ceremonial cap and gown and received their certificates at the graduation event. They also enjoyed a private performance from local musician Tom Masters, who joined the event to celebrate the children's achievements and share his inspiring story of learning and where it led him to today.
