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Barnsley Children's University
As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition we've partnered up with the Children's University Trust to launch the Barnsley Children's University. This programme works towards our goal of 'great childhoods made possible' in Barnsley.
Barnsley Children's University offers pupils the chance to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence outside the school curriculum. It's a small part of the wider work taking place to give children from birth up to 19 years old the chance to be inspired, build ambitions, and achieve their goals.
Listen to what Gawber Primary School had to say about taking part in the pilot scheme in our video below.
How Barnsley Children's University works
The Barnsley Children's University programme is delivered through schools. The approach brings together a network of partners and organisations that deliver activities locally. Each activity is accredited by the Children’s University Trust to make sure they meet the standards that help children build new skills, confidence and knowledge.
Children can access a wide range of activities where they'll collect credits based on the variety of different activities they take part in. These credits count towards different certificates that can be achieved as part of the programme. Children can collect up to 30 awards.
How your child can get involved
As the Children’s University is delivered through schools, you should speak directly with your child’s school to find out if they’re taking part and how your child can get involved.
How schools can get involved
If you work in a school and are interested in finding out more about the Children’s University and signing your school up to be involved, please email barnsleycu@barnsley.gov.uk.
How learning providers can get involved
If you host an extra-curricular activity and would like this to be an official Children’s University activity, you can apply to have your activity validated.
Once you’ve applied, we'll arrange a meeting with you to make sure all documentation is in place to complete validation.
Validating an activity doesn't take a large amount of time. Completing the form and the meeting with our team should only take an hour in total.
School holiday activities
The spring holiday activity newsletter has details of activities happening during the half term holidays across South Yorkshire. It also contains some home learning challenges which can be done free of charge and earn Children's University credits.
Learning destinations
You can find a full list of validated Barnsley Children's University learning destinations below. You can also find these, as well as other nationwide activities, using the Children's University Trust activity search.
Validated learning destinations
- Aqua Baths (ABC Swimming)
- Barnsley Athletics Club
- Barnsley FC Community Trust (previously known as Reds in the Community)
- Barnsley Lawn Tennis Club
- Barnsley Libraries:
- Cudworth Library
- Darfield Library
- Dodworth Library
- Goldthorpe Library
- Grimethorpe Library
- Hoyland Library
- Library @ the Lightbox
- Mapplewell and Staincross Library
- Penistone Library
- Roundhouse Library
- Royston Library
- Thurnscoe Library
- Wombwell Library
- Worsborough Library
- Barnsley Museums:
- Cannon Hall Museum and Gardens
- Cooper Gallery
- Elsecar Heritage Centre
- Experience Barnsley and Discovery Centre
- Worsbrough Mill and County Park
- Barnsley Music Hub - instrument tuition
- Barnsley Youth Theatre
- Barnsley Premier Leisure:
- Barnsley Metrodome
- Dearneside Leisure Centre (Your Space - Dearneside)
- Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre
- Hoyland Leisure Centre (Your Space - Hoyland)
- Royston Leisure Centre (Your space - Royston)
- Cubs- Monk Bretton Cubs
- Dramatise Theatre School
- Elsecar Main Football Club
- Exodus - activity clubs
- Grassroots Sports Academy - basketball sessions
- Higham Cricket Club
- Hope in the Community
- Houghton Main Football Club
- JL Dance
- Junior Tykes Football Club
- Kim Frost School of Dance
- Kixx - football
- Kixx – Kirk Balk, Hoyland
- Machi Endo Karate Club
- Modern Martial Arts
- Monk Bretton Cricket Club - juniors
- NovaCity
- Puddleducks
- Rainbow Studios – dance, gymnastic and drama class
- Raw Kids Gymnastics
- Redfearns Junior Football Club
- Sprint Swim School
- The Combat Company
Barnsley Children's University graduation - July 2024
Throughout 2024 we ran the first pilot of our Barnsley Children’s University. In July 126 children successfully completed the programme.
To celebrate this brilliant achievement, the children, their schools, and their families were invited to a prestigious graduation ceremony at Barnsley Civic. They received their award and their hard work and efforts was acknowledged.
The children donned the ceremonial cap and gown and received their certificates at the graduation event. They also enjoyed a private performance from local musician Tom Masters, who joined the event to celebrate the children's achievements and share his inspiring story of learning and where it led him to today.
