Q
MU IS TO BE the first higher
education institution in the
east of Scotland to host the
Children’s University.
QMU to host
C h i l d r e n ’s
U n i ve r s i t y
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
l e a r n e r s , re s p o n s i b l e
citizens and effective
contributors.
QMU 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 QMU, said: “QMU is
absolutely delighted to be involved
in this exciting initiative that 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’
p ro j e c t – a g ro u n d - b re a k i n g
collaborative initiative that 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 that 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 that rewards
children for learning outside of normal
school hours. Children can gain
credits by taking part in a whole range
of fun, interactive activities that can
be school or community based - from
drama to hip-hop dancing or from
cooking to sports. Each child will get
a ‘Passport to Learning’ that helps
record their participation in activities.
The children build up credits by
engaging 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. This 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 that surround us
and the Children's University helps
children be accredited for their
activities in the Passport to Learning."
Professor Petra Wend, QMU’s
Principal, said: “QMU 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.” ❒
QMYOU / Community Engagement
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