Children's University at Dulverton

Since September 2023, Dulverton has been a member of the Children’s University. The Children’s University is open to all children from Year 1 to 6 to join. 

Why did Dulverton choose to be a member of Children’s University?

We recognise the importance of inspiring, challenging, extending and celebrating the children’s achievements above and beyond the classroom. We seek opportunities for our children to gain further experiences to enrich their lives throughout their time at Dulverton. 

The Children’s University is designed to:

• raise aspiration, self-esteem & confidence
• encourage curiosity and a love of learning
• enhance motivation and build resilience
• introduce new life experiences
• offer progression in learning and personal skills development

Becoming a member of Children’s University will allow Dulverton to raise the aspirations of our children through creating links with local clubs, workshops held by local businesses and places of interest. 

How do we deliver Children’s University?

• Clubs - we hold a variety of after school clubs and provide links to local clubs through South East London Children’s University 

• Educational visits and in school workshops by visiting companies   

• Children’s University launch day

What is the impact of Children’s University?

1. Attendance - Children who participate in CU activities have, as a consequence, better attendance records than children in the same school who do not participate.  This has been a consistent finding from 2007 to the present.
2. Attainment -There is evidence that not only do CU-engaged children attain more highly than their non-CU counterparts but that there is a positive correlation between the length of time  children are involved with CU activities  and their performance in tests and exams.
3. Achievement - Achievement also encompasses what has been realised by the CU Trust itself, measured by its growth and outreach over five years.
4. Attitudes - Changes in attitudes for Children’s University attendees has been a consistent finding over the last five years.
5. Adventure - Surmounting obstacles, testing yourself against more ambitious challenges, has been shown to encourage determination and perseverance.
6. Awards - Children’s University awards have their own special currency, as parents and children attest to the excitement of learning in new ways and in new contexts. Passports play a vital role.
7. Agency - Agency may also be applied to the Children’s University itself, an agent of change in a systemic sense, in respect of changing local management, initiative and innovation and, in a deeper sense, affecting the way in which we come to understand and evaluate learning.
8. Aspiration - To be able to succeed in other contexts, to visit places beyond one’s own immediate neighbourhood, to see the inside of a university for the first time is demonstrated in the data as extending horizons of the possible.
9. Adaptability -The value of Children’s University is also measured by adaptability - of children and young people, of teachers and schools, and of the educational system itself. 
10. Advocacy - Perhaps the most significant measure of advocacy is the spontaneous adoption of the Children’s University by people and organisations in other countries. That it has such international appeal and relevance is hugely significant.

Graduation 

All children, who are members of the Children’s University, have the opportunity to attend a special annual graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements throughout the year. 

The following hours are required to graduate for a variety of levels: 

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