Bringing Science Alive in the Winter Garden...

Good morning, and happy Monday! What a fantastic half term we have had! Unfortunately February Freebie activities are now over for this year. We want to say a HUGE thanks to all the Learning Destinations and children and families who took part!

Fear not though, we will be BACK in the Winter Garden this Saturday 20th February bringing Science Alive with the help of the University of Sheffield Students Union and Sheffield Volunteering. 

Head down between 10am and 4pm to take part in lots of fun science themed activities, and don't forget your Passport to Learning!

BREAKING NEWS: Elephants spotted in Winter Garden...

As part of our fantastic February Freebie activities, we headed down to the Winter Garden this week to decorate the newest member of our team, our fantastic 'Herd of Sheffield' elephant.

Children and young people from across the city were invited to draw their favourite out of school activity and use it to help decorate our elephant,. We had archery, dancing, singing, playing the piano, trampolining, drawing, swimming and even medieval reenactment!

There were also a number of special elephant themed activities including mask making, a trivia trail, and a naming the elephant competition! Huge thanks to all the children and families that helped us.

The Sheffield Hallam University Outreach team were also in the Winter Garden showcasing the fantastic entries to their elephant design competition, and delivering some activities as part of their community week.

Our elephant, along with that belonging to Sheffield Hallam will form part of a special trail displayed around the city from July to September as part of the Herd of Sheffield, so keep your eyes peeled for more details soon!

The Sheffield CU Acorn Fund - from little acorns...

...great oaks grow!

We had a fantastic time at our schools seminar today! Huge thanks to Jane and Mike at Rowan School for hosting the meeting, and sharing their fantastic practice with other schools.

One of the topics of conversation was our CU Acorn Fund. The Sheffield CU Acorn Fund is awarded to groups of children and young people from any Sheffield Children’s University school to use to develop clubs and activities in school. The idea is that just like a tiny acorn grows into a huge oak tree, children and young people can use a small amount of money from the Acorn Fund to grow a wonderful club or activity in their school.

Students from Firth Park Academy receive their Acorn Fund cheque!

Back in the Autumn term, 25 groups of students from our CU schools put together successful bids to the Acorn Fund and were awarded with the funds requested to develop and deliver their own CU activities in school.

These clubs included Stop Motion Animation Club, Grow your own Cooking Club, Coding Club, Sewing Club and Cool Maths Club! Specially designed cheques are sent into schools to be presented to the children and young people who made the bid. The photo below shows Firth Park students being presented in school by their Headteacher!

This term, there will be a very special round of the Acorn Fund, which is supported by Sheffield Hallam University available exclusively to our CU schools. Details will be sent into school after the half term, and we look forward to receiving lots more applications and exciting ideas for CU clubs!

Using the Passport to Learning in Sheffield - the golden rules!

With less than a week until February Freebie activities begin, we thought it was a good time to share the golden rules of the Passport to Learning. To make sure your CU credits count towards your awards, and badges, just follow these 4 simple rules!

1. Learning Destination - the Passport to Learning can only be used at activities that take place at CU approved activity providers. Visit: www.sheffield.gov.uk/cu and click on 'Learning Destinations' for a full list. If someone is not on the list, tell them about us, and us about them!


2. Consent sticker - make sure the consent sticker is signed by a parent/carer before you take your Passport to any Learning Destination


3. Attendance Register - your name MUST be put on a CU attendance register at a Learning Destination in Sheffield. They send it to us and without it, we can't award your credits!


4. Diary Sheet - if you visit a Learning Destination beyond Sheffield you need to complete and return a diary sheet and we'll know to award your credits. You can download one here: www.sheffield.gov.uk/cu

REMEMBER: you do NOT need to register your Passport with the Sheffield CU central team, just take it along to a Learning Destination, make sure you add your name to the CU register and start working towards your first award!

February Freebie - Spotlight on...

‘Learn to play, play to learn’ is their motto and all their gamers certainly have lots of fun too.

Cool cards, intriguing boards and collectible dice are just some of the types of games that Imagination Gaming will introduce you to. We guarantee there will be at least a handful that you’ll never have seen before, but give yourself a few minutes playing them and you’ll soon be hooked! All the games have a link to learning but combined with lots of fun and challenge.

Find them at February Freebie…


Imagination Gaming are running loads of activities right across the city during February Freebie 2016. They are suitable for all ages (but mainly from age 5+) and there’s no booking necessary – just turn up! If you need any more information, please contact them on 07957 449572 (if they’re busy playing their amazing games and can’t answer, leave them a message!!)


Tuesday 9th Feb – Stocksbridge Library, Manchester Road, S36 1DH, 10.30am-1.00pm


Tuesday 9th Feb – Parson Cross Library, The Learning Zone, Wordsworth Avenue, S5 8NL, 2.00pm-4.30pm


Wednesday 10th Feb – Sheffield Winter Gardens, City Centre, 10.00am-1.00pm


Wednesday 10th Feb – Highfield Library, London Road, S2 4NF, 2.00pm-5.00pm


Friday 12th Feb – Central Children’s Library, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ, 10.00am-12.30pm


Friday 12th Feb – Ecclesfield Library, 113 High Street, Ecclesfield, S35 9UA




DON’T FORGET: You’ll need to attend a Sheffield school and have a Passport to Learning to access this FREE activity. They are available for £2 from Sheffield libraries.

February Freebie - Spotlight on...

Today our February Freebie spotlight shines brightly on...

Ignite Imaginations provides brilliant, high quality arts activities in areas where there is little opportunity to engage. They aim to create a bespoke, long lasting and inspiring experience. Their mission is “to ignite imaginations by increasing access to high quality creative activities.”

They offer free events and workshops focusing on visual arts and creative writing (including poetry, storytelling, textiles, sculpture, film making, painting, drawing, craft) for all ages and backgrounds. Working in partnership with the community they aim to increase confidence and skill, reduce isolation, promote usage of local spaces and increase pride and ownership over public space. Every project they deliver they aim to leave a legacy through community celebrations, exhibitions, publications or temporary or permanent changes.

Find them at February Freebie…

Join the team in finding out all about your own local community – Where am I from?

- Monday 8th Feb, 1.30pm-3.30pm, Darnall Library, Britannia Road, S9 5JG
   Create your own life stories through clay figure making.

- Tuesday 9th Feb, 2.00pm-4.00pm, Hillsborough Library, Middlewood Road, S6 4HD
   Decorate a ceramic tile telling the story of your life

 - Wednesday 10th Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm, Manor Library, Ridgeway Road, S12 8RB
    Create your family and friends through puppet making

 - Saturday 13th Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm, Totley Library, 205 Baslow Road, S17 4DT
    Decorate a ceramic tile telling the story of your life

All activities are suitable for children aged 7+. Places are limited to 10-15 so booking is required (ring 0114 2686813 to book your place or to find out more)


DON’T FORGET: You’ll need to attend a Sheffield school and have a Passport to Learning to access this FREE activity. They are available for £2 from Sheffield libraries

February Freebie - Spotlight on...

Broomhill Music

Research shows that being actively involved in making music benefits children in lots of ways. It improves their concentration and physical co-ordination, develops listening, memory, speaking and ordering skills, and builds self-confidence.

Making music is always fun, but the groups run by Broomhill Music offer much more than just an enjoyable time on a Saturday morning. They also nurture and develop children's natural music skills. Each session is carefully structured while allowing for creativity and spontaneity and a wide variety of activities ensures everyone is kept constantly active and engaged.




Find them at February Freebie…


Broomhill Music will be delivering 2 sessions as part of February Freebie…


Monday 8th February

10.30am-11.30am – Ecclesall Library, 120 Ecclesall Road South, S11 9PL

2.00pm-3.00pm – Walkley Library, South Road, S6 3TD

Both sessions include action songs, singing, percussion and dancing and are suitable for children aged 4-6 years.


Places are limited, so please contact 0114 2584048 to book your place


DON’T FORGET: You’ll need to attend a Sheffield school and have a Passport to Learning to access this FREE activity. They are available for £2 from Sheffield libraries.