Lots more Passport fun right on Sheffield's doorstep!

We hope you are enjoying the summer holidays so far, and managing to get out and about collecting credits in your Passports to Learning! There are LOADS of activities happening at our Learning Destinations here in Sheffield – why not click the link to the right and download our Passport Activity Newsletter for some ideas and also for the list of Learning Destinations?

Wanting to venture further afield? Then why not try a few of these Learning Destinations below? They’re all no further than about an hour from Sheffield, so easy to visit in a day.

DON’T FORGET: to collect your credits from Learning Destinations BEYOND Sheffield, get your Passport stamped/signed and you MUST download, complete and return one of our Learning Destination Visit Diary sheets for each place you visit. Once we have received your diary sheet, we’ll be able to award you with your well-earned credits! If you click the link to the right, you can download one of the diary sheets now!

Please email us your photos of you at the Learning Destinations with your Passport to Learning (to CU@sheffield.gov.uk). The best photo will win a special CU goody bag and there’s also a prize for the Passport to Learning stamped at the Learning Destination furthest from our office!

Have fun and let us know what you learned!

*please note: the photo must not contain images of anyone else (even in the background) and by emailing it into us, you agree to it being used for promotional purposes both in publications and on the internet

- The Deep, Hull

The Deep is one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world and is home to a whopping 3,500 fish including Europe’s only pair of green sawfish, spectacular sharks and rays and NEW FOR 2014 - a colony of Gentoo penguins.

Located in Hull, The Deep tells the amazing story of the world's oceans through stunning marine life, fun interactives and audio-visual presentations making it a fun-filled family day out for all ages. As an education and conservation charity, The Deep is dedicated to informing visitors about the world’s oceans and the challenges they face.

- Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster

The UK’s no.1 walkthrough wildlife adventure! Wander around this fantastic park, learning brilliant facts about all the animals from the tigers and leopards, to giraffes and lions! 

Get up close and personal to the lemurs in lemur woods, and stand face to face with the meerkats. You might even get to hold a snake or spider…if you’re brave enough!

- Peveril Castle, Castleton

Explore the ruins of Peveril Castle standing high above the pretty village of Castleton in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District. Mentioned in the Domesday survey, Peveril Castle is one of England’s earliest Norman fortresses. 

The keep was built by Henry II in 1176. An energetic climb to the castle at the top of the hill will reward you with the breathtaking views over the Hope Valley. Explore the remains of the keep including the garderobe (medieval toilet)! DON’T FORGET: download and print the Step Inside activity pack before you go!

- Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Explore the historic house, discover fascinating stories and enjoy one of Europe's most significant art collections. Discover 105 acres of garden with giant water features, sculpture, beautiful flowers and magnificent views of the park – perfect for a picnic! 

Meet the animals in the animal farm, see how the farm is run and enjoy adventurous fun in the playground, including the climbing forest. The 1000 acre park, the Farm shop and its restaurant are open all year round, for everyone to enjoy.

- Heights of Abraham, near Matlock, Derbyshire

Looking for a great day out, in the Peak District, Derbyshire? Then a day out at Matlock and an exciting ride ‘up the mountain’ on the cable car is just the start!

When the cable car arrives at the summit you have FREE ACCESS to the Caverns, Exhibitions and Hilltop Park.

- Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Sherwood Forest near Mansfield

Sherwood Pines Forest Park is a fantastic and inspiring place to experience the outdoors. There is something for everyone all year round, from walking and family cycling to mountain biking, Go Ape and adventure play.  

Oh Help! Oh no! It’s a Gruffalo! Yes, really! Until the end of September, you can go on your very own Gruffalo hunt around the deep, dark woods!

- Yorkshire Sculpture Park, near Wakefield

The only one of its kind, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an international centre for modern and contemporary art, experienced and enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. Explore open-air displays by some of the world’s finest artists, enjoy fascinating exhibitions throughout four stunning galleries, be inspired by the natural beauty of an historic estate, and get involved in a dynamic line up of events and activities. 

Take along a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful parkland! Only 10 minutes from the National Coal Mining Museum – why not combine the two in a day?!

- National Coal Mining Museum, near Wakefield

The National Coal Mining Museum for England provides a great day out with a unique opportunity to travel 140 metres underground down one of Britain's oldest working mines. Situated in a rural setting, it offers an unusual combination of exciting experiences, whilst providing a genuine insight into the hard-working lives of miners through the ages. 

A visit to the National Coal Mining Museum for England is a unique day out – whatever the weather! A highlight for many visitors, is the chance to go back in time and deep underground to discover the hidden world of mining through the centuries, but there is also so much more to see and do across the Museum, above ground, indoors and out! Only 10 minutes from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park – why not combine the two in a day?!


- Conkers Activity Centre, near Swadlincote, South Derbyshire

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Conkers! Take it slow and explore the 120 acres of maturing woodlands, lakes, ponds and play areas - or go wild and take the 18 stage Assault course challenge. Indoors there’s lots and lots to experience - and the weather can’t spoil your fun. 

Delve into the life of a British Woodland with over 100 indoor interactive exhibits in our four seasonal zones. Or experience the Enchanted Forest full of adventure and discovery climbing through the treetops and along rope walkways!


These are just a sample of the hundreds of Learning Destinations beyond Sheffield. For even more, visit the national CU Trust website: www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/maps

Did You Know?

We have been uncovering lots of exciting facts about Sheffield CU this week after some analysing of our data. Some of them have even surprised the team here at Sheffield CU HQ, hopefully they will surprise you too!

Here are 5 fantastic facts about Children's University here in Sheffield:

- EVERY school in Sheffield now has at least 1 child who has CU credits! That includes primaries, secondaries and special schools.

- 38% of all Sheffield children and young people on roll have CU credits - thats over a third of all school age children!

- There are now 25,811 children and young people in Sheffield who have CU credits


-There is a almost an even split between girls and boys, there are currently 12,895 girls, 12,916 boys who have CU credits in Sheffield.

- Collectively, they have clocked up a massive 1,127,083 hours of learning in their own time at one of our 56 schools, or one of our 114 Learning Destinations using the Passport to Learning.


Don't forget you can keep up to date with all things Sheffield CU on Facebook or Twitter. You can also find out more info about Sheffield CU by visiting our website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/cu

Happy holidays!

Last day of term! What a fantastic year it has been - so much to celebrate and be proud of!

Don't forget that you can continue to collect CU credits through the summer using a Passport to Learning (available from local libraries for £2). Make sure you download our summer activity newsletter so you can plan your activities over the holidays - just click the link to the right! It also has a full list of all of our validated Learning Destinations.

The CU team will be here during the holidays, busy getting ready for September so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries. Happy holidays everyone!

Celebrate!

Check out the celebration video from our most recent Award Ceremony at Sheffield Town Hall! 

Have you found us on Youtube yet? www.youtube.com/SheffieldCU

Celebrate!

Our 28th Gold Awards Ceremony took place on Wednesday 9th July 2014 with over 200 children, parents and carers and school staff descending on the Town Hall to celebrate in style.

Children from 18 schools attended along with their parents and carers and were presented with their awards by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Talib Hussain, Councillor Denise Fox and Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning, Skills and Communities, Sam Martin. There was also a marketplace where some of our fantastic Learning Destinations displayed information about their activities and involved parents/carers, children in their demonstrations.

During the ceremony, there were some fantastic performances from Mia Cockyane and  the Razzamataz Theatre School Sheffield Intermediates. There was also a brilliant performance by children from the Stradbroke Primary School Choir and the CU team were presented with their QiSS Advanced certificate by the VIPS who attended.

The CU Team receive their QiSS Advanced certificate

Members of the team were on hand to encourage the award winners to try one one of our special Sheffield CU caps and gowns, and our CU Souvenirs superstars Sakina and Leah were very busy making sure awards badges were securely fastened to newly purchased CU lanyards!

HUGE congratulations to our fantastic award winners, their parents/carers and school staff. We are so very very proud of all of you! A special thanks too to our spectacular events team - Sakina, Leah and Chris. We couldn't do it without you!

Visit our Facebook page to view all the photos from the event!

A proud parent takes a picture of one of our award winners in their special CU cap and gown

Children from Stradbroke Primary School choir give a fantastic performance

Children from Malin Bridge Primary School receive their Gold Awards

Children from Parson Cross CE Primary School receive their Gold Awards

Children from Valley Park Primary School receive their Gold Awards

Planning your summer activities?

The Sheffield CU Summer Passport to Learning newsletter is now available, and includes information activities taking place across the city such as the Summer Reading Challenge, summer programmes being delivered by a number of our fantastic Learning Destinations and also contains details about 2 special Sheffield CU summer competitions that could win you a special Sheffield CU goodie bag!

CU credits can be collected at all activities listed with a Passport to Learning. There is also a full list of our Learning Destinations included. If you don't have a Passport to Learning yet, head to your local library and pick one up for the bargain price of £2! Click this link to see whats on offer now!

Click HERE to view the newletter now!

Celebrate!

Children from Anns Grove Primary receive their Gold Awards

Our 27th Gold Awards Ceremony took place on Wednesday 3rd July 2014 with over 200 children, parents and carers and school staff descending on the Town Hall to celebrate in style.

Children from 9 schools attended along with their parents and carers and were presented with their awards by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Talib Hussain, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, Councillor Jackie Drayton and Assistant Director of Lifelong Learning, Skills and Communities, Sam Martin. There was also a marketplace where some of our fantastic Learning Destinations displayed information about their activities and involved parents/carers, children in their demonstrations.

During the ceremony, there were some fantastic performances from Mia Cockyane and Hannah Pearson from Razzamataz Theatre School Sheffield, and pupil speaker from HBH Academy - Hartley Brook who spoke about their experiences of Children's University in school.

Tempest Photography were also on hand to take portrait photos of children and their familes in their caps and gowns, and our CU Souvenirs superstars Sakina and Leah were very busy making sure awards badges were securely fastened to newly purchased CU lanyards!

HUGE congratulations to our fantastic award winners, their parents/carers and school staff. We are so very very proud of all of you! A special thanks too to our spectacular events team - Sakina, Leah and Chris We couldn't do it without you!

Visit our Facebook page to view all the photos from the event! www.facebook.com/sheffieldcu

Mia Cockayne from Razzamataz Theatre Schools Sheffield gives a fantastic performance of 'Do you want to build a snowman' from 'Frozen'

Parent/carers enjoy the performances

Hannah Pearson from Razzamataz Theatre Schools Sheffield gives a fantastic performance of 'Let it go' from 'Frozen'

Children from Concord Junior School receive their Gold Awards