Scotland's Enterprising Schools

About the organisation

Children’s University (CU) Scotland was established as an independent, OSCR-registered charity in April 2013.

Children’s University Scotland provides children aged between 7 and 14 (and aged 5 and 6 with parental support) with the opportunity to take part in exciting, interactive and voluntary learning activities outside of normal school hours.

By taking part, children can collect credits and gain certificates, which we present at Children’s University graduations, at real ‘grown-up’ universities, with real caps and gowns.

A fundamental principle is that participation is voluntary, enabling children to explore different learning environments, and to become independent and confident learners. We engage the wider communities as learning partners in this process.

As of the start of 2016:

We have set up 10 local centres – Glasgow, Queen Margaret, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife and UWS Ayrshire, Dumfries, Hamilton and Paisley – that cover 17 local authority areas
We have over 5,000 child members
Our members have completed over 68,000 hours of voluntary learning
Over 750 child members have achieved the first award level

We have partnered with over 600 public learning destinations.

Enterprise activity in schools

We support and promote a wide range of innovative learning activities that take place at a huge variety of destinations across the country. Our programme connects the learning that happens in the school environment to that which occurs outside school, in the community, at home, during holidays and with families and friends. CU allows children to explore a wide range of different learning environments, thus broadening their understanding of the wide range of positive destinations available to them in the future.

A fundamental principle is that participation is voluntary, encouraging children to become independent and confident learners as they boost their academic and personal skills. This encourages learning that is self-initiated, self-directed and self-sustained, as children are required to take ownership for their own learning and to drive their own learning journey. This contributes to their development as enterprising individuals with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

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Testimonials

“The CU is a conduit for imagination, aspiration, and assisting children to have a growth mind-set. Achievement and learning outside the school curriculum can create a spark within the child, encouraging them to learn more.”

– Robert Wilson, parent of CU Passport Holder, Midlothian.

“The motivation, confidence and self-esteem of our pupils was really enhanced by their participation in the Children’s University, especially for our more practical and additional support needs pupils. It recognised their wider skills, engagement and achievements. Significantly, it also had a positive impact on learning both inside and outside of the school classroom. But above all, it was great to see our pupils so happy and positively recognised when presented with their certificates by our university partners.”

– Carol, School CU co-ordinator, East Lothian.

“Encouraging and rewarding children’s learning activities early on puts them on the right path for lifelong learning. This is a great project and we’re fully committed to helping it be as successful as possible.”

– Professor Nigel Seaton, Principal of Abertay University.