HUNDREDS of schoolchildren and their families filled the Guildhall in Chard last week for the very first graduation ceremony of the Children's University Chard/Ilminster Faculty.

The graduation was attended by the Mayor of Chard, Councillor Cathie Morrison, the High Sheriff of Somerset, Mrs Sylvana Chandler, and chairman of Somerset County Council, John Edney, who gave out the certificates and medals.

The Children's University is a national organisation that provides exciting learning activities and experiences outside school hours for five to 14 year olds.

Children were issued with a passport, which was stamped after each activity, and were encouraged to progress through the national certification scheme, based on their number of hours of attendance throughout their involvement. Starting with a bronze certificate, awarded for 30 hours of attendance they progressed to silver for 65 hours of attendance, and gold for 100 hours. 

The Chard and Ilminster faculty was launched in October 2011 with schools involved including Tatworth, Combe St Nicholas, Ashill, Avishayes, Neroche, The Redstart and Manor Court, St Mary and St Peters, Shepton Beauchamp and Winsham. Some children had gone over and above and received multiple gold awards.

Sarah Barlow, Headteacher for Winsham Primary said: 'Being a part of the Children's University has encouraged some pupils to extend their learning out of school.  The staff are all very proud of the pupils who graduated.' Dave Scotney, headteacher for Ashill Primary added: 'I was very proud of my children and what they have achieved. The scheme has benefitted all pupils but particularly those who might have been reluctant for one reason or another to extend their learning. Some of those children were awarded silver and even gold certificates at the graduation which delighted both themselves and their parents. Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this scheme.'

After waiting patiently to be capped and gowned, the excitement level grew as each school emerged into the Guildhall. The Tatworth Swing Band set the mood before the schools were called up one at a time and each individual child's name read out by the executive officer for Somerset Primary Headteachers Association, David Hayward, followed by a group photograph and applause on the stage.

By far the largest group were children from Manor Court, who had much to celebrate having also got their best SATS results in the history of the school this year.