1. family and parenting
2. children

York Children’s University Passport to Learning Scheme
Guidance for Parents and Guardians
The Children’s University
The Children’s University is a national scheme which seeks to inspire children aged 7–14, with the aspiration of
taking them to new places through extra-curricular and out-of-school activities. York Children’s University (York
CU) is led and managed by York Cares under the umbrella of the national Children’s University, and brings
together schools, businesses, universities, museums, libraries, sports and music clubs, outdoor activities and more
to offer children opportunities to link real life with learning.
The Passport Scheme
The Children’s University Passport to Learning is a national scheme which enables children to gain recognition for
extra-curricular and out-of-school learning at approved destinations. The Passport is modelled on an adult passport
in which children are able to collect stamps/stickers and work towards certification. Once a year a graduation style
ceremony will be held at The University of York and will celebrate children who have achieved at least 30 hours of
learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can participate?
The scheme is open to all children aged between 7 and 14. Participating schools distribute passports and monitor
participation.
2. How much do the passports cost?
Each passport costs £2. Stickers/stamps are free.
3. How does the Passport scheme work?
Participating children receive stickers/stamps for each hour of extra-curricular and out-of-school learning completed
at a validated Learning Destination. The Passport to Learning is modelled on an adult passport in which children
are able to collect their stickers/stamps and work towards certification. York CU stickers are colour co-ordinated
according to different activities. These are: ‘Outdoor’, ‘Creative’, ‘Sport’, ‘Culture’, and ‘Academic’. York CU
suggests that the launch of the scheme is linked to an out-of-school or extra-curricular activity, trip, or Golden
Moment associated with a York Children’s University module.
The national awards will be presented annually at a graduation ceremony held at The University of York. The
awards are:
·
Bronze: 30 hours
·
Silver: 65 hours
·
Gold: 100 hours
Children can collect their hours at their own pace as long as they are aged 7-14 when they register with York CU
and when they submit their hours for an award.
4. Why does my child’s school want to be involved?
Research by the University of Cambridge indicates that keeping a record and celebrating participation in learning
experiences through the Children’s University has a big impact upon success at school. The scheme is designed to
inspire, engage and excite children through recognising and awarding out-of-school learning.
5. What is a Learning Destination?
Learning Destinations are places, organisations or clubs which offer extra-curricular or out-of-school learning
opportunities and activities, including one-off workshops or sessions, ongoing classes or projects. Any child
involved with the York CU can gain stickers/stamps for their passports at these destinations which count towards
certification. All Learning Destinations are validated by York CU.
There are two types of Learning Destination:
· Public Learning Destinations are accessible to any child. For example in York this might include the
·
National Railway Museum, or a local sports team.
Restricted Learning Destinations are accessible only to a particular group of children, for example a
school-run arts club may only be accessible to children attending that school.
6. Why validate?
Validating ensures the consistent quality of Learning Destinations, and is carried out against a national framework.
What counts?
·
Registered school clubs, for example cookery, art, craft, music or sports clubs
·
Validated local clubs and groups, for example sports clubs, arts or theatre groups, uniformed groups
·
Validated organisations with learning opportunities for children, for example libraries or museums
·
The completion of optional follow-on activities to link with school trips or in-class activities
·
School trips which comply with the spirit of York CU but take place during the school day. These may
include a Golden Moment associated with a York CU module, or any trip which inspires, engages, excites
and challenges children. Each child may gain stickers/stamps for a maximum of 5 hours from school trips
over the year. In addition to this, children may be given another 5 hours worth of stickers/stamps for
participating in residential visits over the course of a year.
What doesn’t count?
·
Non-validated activities, groups or locations
·
Lessons as part of the curriculum, for example PE lessons
·
Informal activities, such as playground games during break time
·
Compulsory homework or homework clubs
7. How do I know what organisations or clubs are validated?
Your child will receive a Validated Learning Destinations list. All validated Learning Destinations are provided with
York CU posters, stickers/stamps and logos to be displayed prominently.
8. How does my child use their passport?
Children will need to take their passports along to validated organisations, clubs or activities. Stickers/stamps will
be distributed by the organisation or club to record the child’s participation and work towards certification. Schools
will bank hours on a regular basis and pass the information to York CU.
9. What happens if my child attends a non-validated club/activity?
If children are attending a club which is not validated then children are unable to gain stickers/stamps from the
activity. York CU is new and we are working to expand the portfolio of validated activities. If the club or organisation
would like to be validated, please ask them to contact York CU by emailing info@yorkcares.co.uk.
10. What happens if children lose their passports?
If a child loses their passport they will need to purchase a new Passport for £2. The child can update their new
passport with their hours data recorded on the school’s Passport to Learning Pupil Registration Form. Any hours
that are not banked can be included at the discretion of the school.
11. Can my child gain stamps when we go on holiday?
Yes! There are validated Learning Destinations across the country. Please visit the national Children’s University
website (www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/learning-destinations) for information about public Learning Destinations.
12. What is graduation?
The graduation ceremony recognises children who have participated in the scheme and have gained more than 30
hours of out-of-school and extra-curricular learning. The graduation ceremony is held at The University of York in
the spring term and invitations will be issued by your child’s school.
York Children’s University
York Cares,
c/o The Careers Service
The University of York,
Heslington, York.
YO10 5DD
Tel: 01904 323482
E: info@yorkcares.co.uk
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I would like to welcome you to the York Children’s University (York CU) which encourages children to
participate in extra-curricular and out-of-school learning.
Your school has agreed to be part of the York CU Passport scheme as part of York CU activities, which
enables children to collect stickers/stamps for out-of-school and extra-curricular activities at validated
Learning Destinations around York.
I hope your family will enjoy the learning opportunities associated with York CU. I enclose a brief guide to
the York CU Passport scheme as well as the Validated Learning Destinations list.
Yours sincerely,
Holly Hennell
York CU Manager