Archive Council News

24 July 2007

4th Gold Awards Ceremony for Children's Unviersity

2007 has been a fantastic year for Wrexham Children’s University with a record number of award winners. All students who received awards received the highest award available within the Children’s University –The Kid’s College and Children’s University GOLD Award, and the Youth University, Advanced Diploma.

Children from Acton Park Infants, Johnstown Infants, Wat’s Dyke Primary, St Mary’s Primary, Alexandra Primary, Brynteg CP, Gresford, All Saints, St Mary’s Church in Wales, Barker’s Lane Community School, Pen-y-cae Juniors, St Joseph’s, Rhosnesni High School, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd and Ysgol Rhiwabon have completed modules in a range of activities including; theatre and drama, dance, music, circus skills, healthy living, swimming, netball, athletics, tennis and cookery.

This impressive accomplishment shows a high degree of commitment and dedication by the students and should be rightly celebrated at an awards ceremony reflecting the student’s efforts and achievements.

Certificates were presented by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Griffiths, also in attendance were Clare Field (Chief Prevention and Inclusion Officer, Wrexham County Borough Council), Phil Bassett (Academic Director / Head of School of Education, North East Wales Institute [NEWI]), Professor Mike Scott Principal and Chief Executive, NEWI, John Davies (Senior Primary Officer, Wrexham County Borough Council), Geoff Moore (Senior Youth Officer, Wrexham County Borough), and Christine Willis (Wrexham, Children’s University Development Officer). Other guests included staff from various participating schools, representatives from participating organisations such as Bitesize Theatre, The Venture and Duke of Edinburgh.

Performances were given by children and young people from Bitesize Theatre and a Young Women’s Self-Defence display was presented by members of Wrexham Youth Service.

Wrexham Children’s University is a partnership between Wrexham Youth Service (Wrexham County Borough Council) and NEWI (North East Wales Institute). The scheme gives ‘credits’ for each hour that children voluntarily participate in activities ‘out of normal school hours’. Credits are awarded for each hour completed and these credits are banked and build up to further awards. Children from 5-19 may take part, but must be Wrexham School children (or school leavers), although we are hoping that neighbouring LEA’s may soon join the scheme, allowing children from each area to collect their credits in activity centres across the region.

By July 2007, the number of Wrexham school children between the ages of 5 -19 who are engaged in activities is 6,562 Of the Wrexham schools, 49 are currently registered as ‘activity centres’ and many more schools have pupils registered with the scheme. There are approximately 40 external organisations involved, these include Country Parks, Youth Centres, Youth Theatres and music groups, Sports Development and local sports groups, Techniquest and Community First initiatives. Approximately 1,763 modules have been submitted totalling 306,718 credits/hours.

Wrexham Children’s University was the first of its kind in Wales and is being used as a best practice model across the whole of Wales. There are currently 14 other local authorities across Wales who have now adopted the scheme with a further four giving it serious consideration. The Children’s University National Network group is looking to launch Children’s University Cymru over the next few months.