Simultaneous Graduation Ceremonies were held last week at The University of Warwick for over 160 children who took part in Children University! This was the first time this had been tried and the children and their families had a lot of fun.

The Children’s University™ is an international charity with over 90 CU Centres across the UK. Children own a “Passport to Learning” and are encouraged to earn stamps by participating in a wide-range of extra-curricular activities available at Learning Destinations both locally and across the country. Children’s University offers the perfect opportunity for children to learn new skills. It can help boost children’s self-esteem, encourages them to have an active lifestyle and are able to learn new skills and make new friends.

We were very pleased to see many children aged 5 – 14 years old reaching the Gold Award of 100 hours and higher, for participating in innovative and exciting learning opportunities outside normal school hours.

Children and their families filled the 2 superb lecture theatres in the Zeeman Building on campus which is the home of the Mathematics and Statistics Departments. Wearing official mortar boards and gowns children were welcomed to the campus and presented with their official certificates.

The University of Warwick have kindly supported Children’s University for the past 15 years and hosted a total of 16 Graduation Ceremonies.

Carolyn Lloyd, Children’s University Strategic Manager, said she is delighted to have the support of the Widening Participation team at The University of Warwick to kindly host the ceremonies.

“Children are given the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of learning activities including everything from chemistry to cooking as well as sports and hobbies. We are always looking for exciting places where learning takes place and having the University of Warwick on board is key to the success of Children’s University.”

Paul Blagburn, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Warwick said “The Children’s University is an inspiring opportunity for young people to get an insight into what their future could be about; it’s an immense privilege to witness the pride on the children’s and parent’s faces when they graduate”.