Planning your October fun?

There are some spooky happenings all across Sheffield this October half term - have you planned your holiday fun yet?

The October Children's University Passport to Learning newsletter which includes details of activities across Sheffield happening during the October half term is now available! Click HERE or the link on the side of these page to start planning now!

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning will be able to earn additional CU credits at these activities. There's also a list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations.

During October 2017, there will be a number of FREE CU LIVE! activities taking place in the Moor Market. Please see the newsletter for more details!

Sheffield CU - How does it make a difference?

We are very pleased and proud to share with you the 2016 ‘Sheffield Children’s University – How does it make a difference?’ report which provides detailed evidence of the impact of Children’s University in Sheffield. Any school, or Learning Destination will tell you that being part of CU and being celebrated and rewarded for taking part in out of school activities makes a difference.

Here in Sheffield, we do lots of work looking at the impact of participation in these activities, through lots of data analysis, but also through case studies and evidence collected from schools, providers, parents and the children themselves. With over 39,000 children and young people in our city with CU credits, we have a lot of information to work with!

This builds on our previous report and includes a detailed look at the impact of participation in CU activities on attainment, attendance and progress, as well as anecdotal evidence of impact through a number of case studies. For the first time, this report includes a detailed look at new performance measures as well as examining the impact on the most vulnerable children and young people in the city. It also includes analysis of progression routes for post 16 students.

“I always lacked confidence when I was younger and I didn’t want my girls to find that they lacked confidence too. The Children’s University is an almost guaranteed way of making sure that the confidence they gain will bring them success in the future.” – Sheffield parent/carer

“The most important thing for me is that children are having fun whilst learning at the same time, which they don’t realise."- School staff member

Click here to view the full report: 'Sheffield CU - How does it make a difference?'

New term, new award certificates!

As the new term begins, we are really excited to announce that the CU Trust have created new Award Certificates which we will be using from September onwards! 

They have been updated to a more modern design and have a lovely foil imprint that reflects the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. We will continue to use the national framework of awards so there is no change in terms of award intervals (30hrs = Bronze, 65hrs = Silver, 100hrs = Gold etc), it’s just the design of the certificates that will change. 

These certificates will now be presented at all our award ceremonies and used for Bronze and Silver certificates, replacing the previous format. We hope you like them as much as we do!

We did it!- Maintaining our Advanced Quality Award

We have achieved another important milestone here in Sheffield and we can’t wait to share the news!

Some of you may be aware of the QiSS (Quality in Study Support) Awards. For those who haven’t come across it previously, QiSS is a national quality assurance framework that schools and learning organisations can utilise to demonstrate that they deliver high quality provision that makes a real difference to children, young people and families.

The achievement of the three quality marks demonstrates excellence in a variety of areas including raising attainment and achievement and engaging learners with a variety of needs. The Sheffield CU team previously received Advanced status (the final level of a 3 step award system) back in June 2014 after a very rigorous external validation process. In order to maintain our Advanced status which expired after 3 years, we were tasked with building another portfolio which provided evidence of how we have continued to develop a high quality service. We also demonstrated how we developed our Advanced practice even further by leading training and strategically supporting our area of work at local and national levels.

Both Helen and I were overwhelmed with the fantastic feedback we received from our recognition meeting, which was more of a celebration of our work. We were praised on providing a ‘wonderful portfolio’ which was full of ‘outstanding evidence’ of all our work. We are very proud to have maintained our status at Advanced, showing that we are indeed making a real difference to all those involved in Children’s University here in Sheffield. We have found the QiSS process so valuable in informing our development and allowing us identify and address gaps in our provision.

Achieving this award would not have been possible without the help of our critical friend Anita de Brouwer. And also a BIG thank you to all of our schools, Learning Destinations, partners and parents/carers for being so instrumental in the development of CU here in Sheffield and helping us grow such a fantastic project. We couldn’t be more proud!

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on…

Something a little bit different!

Treasures and Trails of Sheffield

Sheffield Hallam University have developed a wonderful trail around their central campus buildings. Not only will the trail give you a guided tour of the most interesting and exciting parts, but you’ll be able to help solve the mystery of the stolen treasures and landmarks of Sheffield! You’re in luck as the trail starts during the CU Festival of Fun, but runs throughout the summer, so plenty of time to help solve the riddle.

But that’s not all – Sheffield Hallam University are holding their Family Fun Day on Friday 28th July – a fun packed day of interactive activities including arts and crafts, competitions, experiments, sports and the launch of the treasure hunt as above.

• Friday 28th July, 10.00am-3.00pm, Hallam Square, Howard Street, S1 1WB (Family Fun Day), all ages welcome
• Friday 28th July to Friday 25th August (Mon-Fri only), 9.00am-3.00pm, 5-13 years (and families), starts at Owen Building, City Campus, Howard Street, S1 1WB

No booking required for these activities, but you can contact them on 0114 2552130 for more information.


Kung Fu, Dance and Games – all from the wonderful Chinese heritage

Our friends at the Sheffield Star Mandarin School join our CU Festival of Fun for the first time this year, and their activities promise to be bright, colourful and lots of fun. Whether it’s Chinese kung fu, Chinese dance or traditional Chinese games that you’re interested in, no need to worry – you can do all three, or any combination you like!

Their activities will be running for a full week, and no previous experience is needed. Why not give them a try?

You can find their sessions below…

• Monday 31st July to Friday 4th August, 9.00am-1.00pm, 7-14 years, Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield

Contact them on 07846 262870 to book your place and for more information

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on....

Music, Dance and Drama

Dance, dance dance!

The wonderful Hype Dance are joining us once again as part of our Festival of Fun. Their four sessions all promise something different – from street dance and acro, to musical theatre dance, and a workshop based around the amazing musical Lion King. Some of these sessions are booking fast, but why not contact them to secure your place now, or find out about their regular activities?

You can find Hype Dance at the following sessions…

• Wednesday 26th July, 2.00pm-3.30pm, Firth Park Library (Streetdance/acro)
• Thursday 27th July, 10.00am-11.30am, Southey Library (Lion King)
• Tuesday 8th August, 2.00pm-3.30pm, Chapeltown Library (Musical Theatre Dance)
• Friday 11th August, 10.30am-12.00pm, Stocksbridge Library (Street dance)

Contact Hype Dance on 0114 2758503 to book a place and for more details.

Street dance, Matilda and Cheer dance – Three Cheers to Amanda Holland!

Amanda Holland School of Dance join us for the first time this year, delivering three fantastic workshops spread across the city. Whether you’re into street dance, musical theatre such as the smash hit Matilda, or Cheerleading is more your thing, then there is a session for you.

You can find them at the following sessions…

• Friday 28th July, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Broomhill Library (Street Dance) 
• Wednesday 2nd August, 10.30am-12.30pm, Totley Library (Cheer Dance)
• Thursday 10th August, 10.30am-12.30pm, Frecheville Library (Matilda workshop)

Contact them on 07778 894860 to book a place or to find out more.

Noodle Performance Arts – the one to watch!

Yes, parents and carers can actually watch the results of this workshop, through a short performance at the end! Join Noodle for a fun and lively performance arts session based on a top musical, delivered at their base in Beighton, Sheffield. You can be guaranteed a great hour of activity, all resulting in a performance to be proud of.

Find Noodle’s session as follows…

• Monday 31st July, 9.30am-10.30am, Beighton Lifestyle Centre

Contact Jess on 07821 887073 to find out more and to book a place.


Fun theatre workshops for everyone!

Our friends Razzamataz Theatre Schools – Sheffield join us once again to deliver some fun, lively workshops based on musical theatre. A mix of singing, dance and drama, your kids are guaranteed to have a razztastic time. There’s even a workshop delivered especially for children with special needs. In response to feedback from previous events, we’ve worked with Razzamataz to deliver something which will be a carefully delivered session, suitable for children aged 6-10 years with a range of SEN. Extra, specialist staff will be on hand to ensure your child can join in the Razz magic. Contact them to discuss your child’s needs if you feel this session would be suitable for your child.

Find Razzamataz at the following places…

• Friday 4th August, 12.00pm-1.00pm (4-7 yrs), Park Library
• Friday 4th August, 1.00pm-2.00pm (8-12 yrs), Park Library
• Tuesday 8th August, 10.30am-11.30am (6-10 yrs, specialist SEN session), Central Children’s Library
• Thursday 10th August, 3.00pm-4.00pm (4-7 yrs), Newfield Library
• Thursday 10th August, 4.00pm-5.00pm (8-12 yrs), Newfield Library

Contact Razzamataz to find out more and book a place, on 07979 189177

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on…

The Great Outdoors

Wonderful Wincobank Hill

Penny Rea Projects join us once again for a family ramble through the ancient woodlands on Wincobank Hill, to be rewarded with a magnificent view right across the city, from the Iron Age Hillfort. But along the way, you’ll have the chance for some den building and even toasting marshmallows on the fire. An opportunity not to be missed – children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Sessions will be run as follows…

All are for ages 4yrs+ and families, and you should meet at Upper Wincobank Chapel…

• Monday 31st July, 10.00am-12.30pm 
• Monday 31st July, 1.30pm-4.00pm 
• Wednesday 2nd August, 10.00am-12.30pm
• Wednesday 2nd August, 1.30pm-4.00pm

Contact Penny for more information and to book your place on 07980 143776.

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017