Children’s University Scotland – Learning Beyond the Classroom

Hi everyone, this morning, a group of fellow students and I attended a very interesting workshop presented by Mary De la Peña, the chief executive at Children’s University Scotland. This workshop focuses on the idea of young children ‘learning beyond the classroom’.

The Children’s University Scotland is a charity which aims to provide and promote ‘out-of-school’ learning for all children aged 5-14. Although the Children’s University programme is voluntary, it aims to target, in particular, those children who are hard to reach.

The Children’s University Scotland was founded as an independent charity in 2013, therefore is a fairly new charity, however has been very successful in its work during this short time. The organisation is provided with support from the Scottish Power Foundation and Brodie’s Solicitors. Funding and endorsement is also provided from the Scottish Government.

Mary De la Peña introduced the idea that Children’s University Scotland should focus on the ‘Three A’s’, which are awareness, aspiration and achievement. She said ‘that combination can empower children to succeed’.

Children’s University Scotland provides learning opportunities and experiences which are of high quality, innovative and especially exciting and good fun for the children, bringing them confidence and motivation.

The charity ‘Aspire to Inspire’. It is clear they are successful in raising aspiration and self belief for children, they encourage a love of learning, boost achievement and try to help improve life chances.

It is great to see children progressing through the work of the Children’s University Scotland programme. A ‘passport to learning’ encourages children to become members. Through recording their learning journeys which leads them to achieving awards at graduation ceremonies, it is inspiring to watch them feeling so proud of themselves.

I think this gives children who may not feel as confident or successful in school a far greater opportunity to achieve and feel proud of themselves other than academically. It also helps to motivate children in school as it has been proved that this programme has been successful in significantly improving school attendance and achievement for primary school pupils.