Queen Margaret University to host Children’s University

EDINBURGH, Scotland - Oct. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The Queen Margaret Children’s University aims to help school children, aged between 7 and 14 years of age, become confident learners and broaden their horizons. It will be the second Children’s University established in Scotland but the first initiative for young people in the east of the country.

The initiative strives to raise children’s aspirations, encourages them to learn in different ways, and rewards them for taking part in a wide variety of learning activities outside of school hours.  The Children’s University ethos is clearly aligned with the aims of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence in terms of helping children become successful and confident learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

Queen Margaret University is taking the lead in establishing the Children’s University in the east of Scotland by initially working in partnership with schools via East and Mid Lothian Councils.

Professor Alan Gilloran, Deputy Principal at Queen Margaret University, said: “QMU is absolutely delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative which will help encourage young children to get involved in different methods of learning, whilst boosting their achievement. We have always believed that children need a range of different opportunities and that not all learning needs to be school focused. The Children’s University offers a different approach and encourages children to foster a love of learning. It also creates a unique way of recognising and rewarding individuals for learning and getting involved in new things. It’s an inspirational way of engaging with the younger members of our communities and will hopefully motivate them to continue being active learners as they move through their teenage years.”

Professor Gilloran continued: “We have already witnessed the success of the first year of our Academies’ project – a ground-breaking collaborative initiative which sees 16 – 18 year old pupils learn about key industries at school, college, university and with employers, all at the same time. The Children’s University allows us to extend unique learning opportunities to individuals in a younger age group. This type of creative model helps us take learning beyond its traditional parameters, ensuring that Scotland’s young people develop a positive attitude towards learning which will equip them for future success.”

Mary Brittain, Chief Executive of Children’s University Scotland, explained how the initiative works. She said: “We provide an accreditation framework which rewards children for learning outside of normal school hours. Children can gain credits by taking part in a whole range of fun, interactive activities which can be school based or in the community  - from drama to hip-hop dancing or from cooking to sports. Each child will get a ‘Passport to Learning’ which helps record their participation in activities. The children build up credits the more they engage in learning activities and can work towards bronze, silver and gold certificates. The celebration of their achievements culminates in a graduation ceremony that will take place at Queen Margaret University.

“The most important aspect of the Children’s University is that it’s a voluntary experience”, said Mary Brittain.  “Children work towards building their credits in their own time which means that their success, as part of the university experience, is a more personal achievement. Above all, it should be fun!”

Ronnie Summers, Head Teacher of Musselburgh Grammar School, said, " I had heard about the work of the Children's University last year and was very keen to be involved. Children's learning does not only take place in schools - there is a wide world of opportunities to explore in the communities which surround us and the Children's University helps children be accredited for their activities in the Passport to Learning."

Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “Queen Margaret University is fully committed to widening access and supporting learning in the community. Our involvement with the Children’s University allows us to help develop and provide opportunities for young people from wide ranging backgrounds. We look forward to implementing the scheme in many of our primary and secondary schools in East and Mid Lothian.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Children’s University Scotland

CU Trust Scotland was registered as a charity in April 2013, set up to oversee the strategic development of Children’s University in Scotland. Children's University Scotland was the first project to be awarded funding by the ScottishPower Foundation, established to reinforce the energy company's commitment to charitable work throughout Britain. The Foundation was launched by Glasgow schoolchildren from member schools of Glasgow Children's University at an event held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in June 2013.

Strathclyde University established the first local Children’s University in the West of Scotland earlier in 2013/ Queen Margaret Children’s University is the first local CU centre in East Scotland, managed by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

CU Scotland is also supported by Brodies law firm, providing pro bono legal advice and the time and expertise of one of its consultants, Jock Brown, who chairs the Board of Trustees of CU Trust Scotland. The other trustees are:

·       Ken Cunningham, General Secretary of School Leaders Scotland, and former head of Hillhead High School, Glasgow

·       Doug Wilson, UK Director of General Services and Health & Safety at Scottish Power

·       Gillian Hastings, Principal of Polar Horizons, accounting and tax consultancy