Leeds Children's University Celebrates!

"There is always one moment in childhood

when the door opens and lets the future in."

Graham Greene 'The Power and the Glory'

I moved on to the new 'Moyes Centre' at David Young Community Academy for the first 'Leeds Children's University' celebration. Viv Gibbons has done a brilliant job co-ordinating the Leeds Children's University which is being developed in the Seacroft and Manston Family of Schools and I was delighted to be able to attend this first celebration as the university's first chancellor along with my colleague Ger Graus who is Chief Executive of the national Children's University.

The Children's University is a national organisation that provides support to 7 to 14 year olds accessing an exciting and innovative menu of learning activities and experiences outside normal school hours. It celebrates the learning journey through a 'Passport to Learning' and recognises achievement and rewards participation through certificates and ceremonies like this one. Raising children's aspirations is important to the Children's University because it aims to develop the understanding in children and young people and parents and carers that learning can help us all on our journeys to better places in life! We hope that the Leeds Children's University will build on the brilliant work that has been developed in Leeds with schemes like Playing for Success, Study Support, Breeze and Find Your Talent. We hope that we can connect with every sports venue, museum, gallery, library, attraction, business and learning place in Leeds, across the City Region and the country. There are now over 100000 young people across the country with Children's University Learning Passports which they use to capture their out of school hours learning journeys and learning activities at validated centres and schools. Viv Gibbons has led in the Seacroft and Manston Extended Services cluster in East Leeds.

This is a fantastic initiative and I hope as many as possible of our learning places will join and help to further develop the incredible work going on with schools in Seacroft and Manston. If you want to find out more about the Children's University you can visit their website at www.childrensuniversity.co.uk.
Chris