More than a hundred children from across Doncaster have donned robes and mortar boards, graduating from the town’s Children’s University™.
Youngsters aged seven to 13 have taken part in a variety of after-school activities aimed at making learning fun.
Activities included filming, writing music, cooking, performing, writing scripts, dancing and much more.
School children from Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Denaby Main Primary School, Stirling Primary School, Mexborough Highwoods Primary School, Townfield Primary School, Lakeside Primary School, Auckley Junior and Infant School, Shaw Wood Primary School and Hungerhill School have taken part in the innovative project – the only such project to take place in a College in the country.
The children were rewarded with a special Graduation Ceremony at Doncaster College’s Hub campus on Tuesday, November 11. Children were rewarded a bronze certificate for achieving 30 extra hours learning, silver for 65 hours and gold for 100 hours.
Doncaster Children’s University™ Project Director Linda Ward said: “I have had so many proud parents and teachers comment about how good the night was and how smart the children looked in their robes and hats. It was a truly great occasion. The children have worked extremely hard and I am very proud of them.”
College Principal Rowland Foote said: “It was great to see so many young people doing what 20 or 30-year-olds normally do. It’s a great achievement and I hope all of their hopes, wishes and dreams are fulfilled – maybe at the College and University Centre."
Professor John MacBeath, Chair of Educational Leadership at Cambridge University, spoke at the event and gave out certificates to the deserving youngsters.
Professor MacBeath said: “We have been monitoring the Children Universities all around the country and have been very impressed by the team in Doncaster, spearheaded by Linda Ward.”
Linda added: “The Children’s University™ continues to go from strength to strength and we are continuously developing new modules for the children to enjoy.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about Doncaster Children’s University™ or to volunteer to be a mentor, please contact Linda Ward on 01302 553791, email Linda.ward@don.ac.uk or visit www.don.ac.uk/dcu