Celebrating Achievement
The Children's University believes that celebration of
achievement plays a key part in raising he aspirations of all
children. This celebration is important in itself and is made more
eaningful by two central themes of recognition, which all local CU
centres will work towards.
University awards and
Graduation ceremonies
Many children will not have encountered a University environment
and many will not imagine hat they might one day belong there. To
make this real to children, to help them to see that such
opportunities are within their grasp, the main celebration of
achievement takes the form of award ceremonies in or with a
University or Further Education institution near to the children's
homes, attended by parents, family and friends.
Graduations currently take place at The University of Greenwich
(Medway) campus but will be taking place on two further university
sites - Canterbury Christ Church University and The University of
Kent.
Children's University certificates
At these ceremonies, children are presented with Children's
University certificates that recognise their participation in
Children's University activities. These certificates are awarded on
the basis of hours of attendance so that they can be gained by all
children irrespective of ability. Importantly, the certification
follows the same pattern across all CUs, giving a real currency to
the children's work. At the same time, it provides a clear record
of participation on a cumulative basis that is useful to schools in
monitoring children's out of school learning and helps to identify
and evaluate the extent of children's involvement.
Children's University certificates can only be awarded to
children who have followed courses that have been recognised by the
Children's University, through its validation scheme, as providing
high quality education. Again, this ensures that the certificates
have real meaning.
Awards structure
Children are encouraged to progress through the Children's
University certification scheme, based on their number of hours of
attendance throughout their involvement with the Children's
University. Bronze, silver and gold certificates are awarded at CU
Undergraduate, CU Postgraduate and CU Doctorate levels. The hours
and expectations associated with these levels are outlined below.
Honorary certificates are also awarded for outstanding achievement
and commitment.
The certification process also provides a ready means of
recognising and monitoring the highest achievers or those who may
need encouragement. In turn, this links in to mentoring schemes
that operate in local CU centres and which aim to support children
and to help them plan the next stages of their involvement.
You can view the awards structure
more clearly here.
