Children's University
London South East Children’s University is an award programme that encourages children aged 5-14 to get involved in lots of exciting activities to develop their knowledge and skills whilst increasing their aspirations for the future through extra-curricular activities.
We work across Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich and are part of a network of Children’s Universities across the UK, so children can also earn stamps wherever they are in the country!
Children will receive their Passport to Learning and gain a “time” stamp for every activity completed at a validated Learning Destination. Each activity of CU-validated learning brings the child closer to a Children’s University graduation certificate presented at a locally organised CU graduation ceremony. The hours accumulate each year, so children can earn different achievement levels and awards depending on the number of hours they have achieved.
We have already signed up for many learning destinations at the London South East Children’s University, from kayaking on Danson Lake to following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin at Down House, with plenty more places and activities looking to get involved.
Click here for details of all the Learning Destinations and challenges available to children and young people via our Google Drive.
For more information, email Karen Oliver at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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How does it work
Everyone who signs up to London South East Children’s University will get their own Passport to Learning. Each time your child takes part in a validated club or activity, the Learning Destination stamps this passport and gives it a CU Online code!
Once they have received their stamp, they must log it on their Children’s University Online account to log the activity. Details on how to do this can be found in the “Children’s University Online” section.
Alternatively, if they complete a challenge, email us a photo of their work, and we will provide you with the stamp code. That is all!
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Working with schools
Schools' participation is central to the success of the Children's University scheme. It is seen as another way to open children's eyes to the power and magic of learning, often in places and ways they might least expect. We work closely with local businesses, schools, and families, as well as CU managers across the country, to ensure that we can offer as many opportunities as possible to the pupils engaged with Children’s University.
What are the benefits to schools and academies?
- CU provides the opportunity for targeted support for the most vulnerable children
- CU helps build relationships with activity providers in the community
- CU brings coherence to an enrichment programme and allows close tracking of uptake and impact of participation
- CU provides instant reporting methods to meet all current OFSTED and internal requirements
- CU supports exciting opportunities for transition
Bexley Children's University
Bexley is one of London’s greenest boroughs, with over 90 parks and woodland areas offering many great opportunities for Bexley children. Validated learning destinations include Hall Place, Theatre Box Performing Arts School, Lingotot Bexley, Super Star Sport DA, Tan Gun Taekwondo Academy, Charlton Athletic Community Trust, The Creation Station, Lesnes Abbey, Crossness Pumping Station, and many more.
Our participating schools:
- Northumberland Heath Primary School (Reception - 6)
- Peareswood Primary School (Reception - 6)
- Knockhall Primary School (Years 3 – 6)
- Willow Bank Primary School (Reception - 6)
- Virtual School for Looked After Children (Open to all year groups)
- Aspire Academy (All year groups)
- Bedonwell Infant and Junior Schools (Open to all year groups)
- Sherwood Park Primary School (Open to all year groups)
- Belvedere Junior School (All year groups)
- Parkway Primary School (All year groups)
- Belmont Academy (Open to all year groups)
- Dulverton Primary School (Open to all year groups)
- Woodside Academy (Years 2 - 9)
- St Paul’s (Slade Green) Primary School (Years Reception – 6)
- Limewood Primary School (Reception)
- Crook Log Primary School (Open to all year groups)
If you are interested in finding out more about how your school could get involved with London South East Children’s University,
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Working with organisations and Businesses
As a business or organisation, you can support Children’s University in several ways, depending on your budget and capacity. You may be able to offer a workshop or learning session where CU pupils can learn about your business and inspire them to see what opportunities are available to them, or you may wish to support a social enterprise project. You may be able to sponsor several passports that could be given out to pupils at an event you are hosting, the children attending a specific Learning Destination or even a school. You may wish to sponsor an event we are hosting or donate towards increasing our offer to our children and young people. The choice is yours, and we are always willing to discuss possible options.
Supporting Children’s University provides a whole range of benefits. Still, mainly for the children and young people in your local community – this is why we do what we do, and if you can support us, we would be very grateful. Through sponsorship, your logo would be added to the passport/event linked to your sponsorship, which would help raise your profile and support community engagement within Bexley, Bromley and beyond.
We currently work with Cory Group who sponsor several passports, which we were able to give out to families who attended events such as the Bexley Eco Festival. Their support has also enabled a local primary school to join the Children’s University for which we are very grateful.
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Working with families
The Children’s University offers a structure that values the children's work and their families' support. It is widely researched and acknowledged that providing diverse learning experiences assists children in developing a curious mind, builds resilience and problem-solving skills and extends their knowledge and understanding of the wider world.
Recognising that learning extends far beyond the classroom is the foundation of the Children’s University and when you, as their parents and carers, are signing up for out-of-school clubs, taking a trip to a park, or visiting a local or national place of interest the contribution to your child’s future is recognised through the collection of stamps in their Passport to Learning.
If you want to join the Children’s University, but your child’s school is not linked to Children’s University, or you home-educate your child/ren, you can now subscribe to “Children’s University Online” via the National Children’s University. This offer is slightly different as you are not directly linked to the London South East Children’s University, but it is a great way to access the Children’s University!
The best way to stay up-to-date is to sign up for our mailing list and follow us on social media!
Children's University Online
CU Online is an excellent way for your child to log their hours and track their progress!
Benefits
By the time a child turns 18, they will have spent just 9% of their waking life in a classroom.