The Children's University (CU) encourages children to participate in high quality, exciting and innovative learning activities and experiences outside of normal school hours. It is aimed at children aged 7 to 14 (and 5 and 6 year olds with their families), and engages the wider community as learning partners. Its ambition is to raise aspirations, boost achievement and foster a love of learning, so
that young people can make the most of their abilities and interests. Our students are issued with a Passport To Learning in which they collect ‘stamps’ for every hour of ‘informal’ (outside the classroom), learning at any of our validated Learning Destinations. Learning Destinations are places and organisations to which children can 'travel' with their Passport To Learning that provide high quality learning activities and experiences. Validated Learning Destinations include activities such as swimming clubs, music clubs, drama groups, scouts and guides. Other activities could be visits to local attractions that are participating e.g. local castles and English Heritage. Students are awarded certificates at bronze, silver and gold levels, and can earn a Degree, a Masters Degree, right up to a Doctorate or a Fellowship based on the number of hours they complete. On reaching a gold level they are invited to come to Plymouth University and Penryn University Campus to participate in a graduation ceremony. Children can sign up through their schools and if their school is not a part of Children's University, we can set them up as one!
