Children's University Annual Conference

I have just got back from the national Children's University's fourth annual conference at Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire.

It was great to spend 24 hours at this conference and catch up with old colleagues; Ger Graus, who is Chief Executive of the Children's University, Mick Waters, who was Director of Education in Manchester before he joined QCA to lead on the curriculum review, Gervase Phinn, author, speaker and storyteller extraordinaire and Tim Brighouse, who was Director of Education in Birmingham before leading the London Challenge. The highlight of the conference apart from the opportunity to meet so many young talented colleagues who share our passion for learning beyond the classroom, was to listen to two young people whose lives have been touched by the Children's University. Magan Boyden and Taylor Young are both graduates of the Colchester Children's University and attend Philip Morant School & College in Colchester. Their enthusiasm and passion shone through their brief presentation and made everyone realize the difference this program me is making for so many young people across the country.

The Children's University is a fantastic initiative operating now in 75 locations across the country and providing a framework for validated and quality assured activities for 7 to 14 year olds. The real success of the Children's University is the added value these activities can give to some of our children and young people and the difference these things can make to the outcomes they achieve. The  Children's University provides young people with Learning Passports which they use to capture their out of school hours learning journeys and learning activities at validated centres and schools. Organisations like museums, libraries, study support centres, playing for success centres and other attractions are involved with this fantastic initiative. If you want to find out more about the Children's University you can visit their website at www.childrensuniversity.co.uk