Planting Acorns: Building a Children's University in Stoke on
Trent
Aims of Stoke Children’s University
To raise aspirations toward higher education and lifelong learning through the recognition of quality out of school and extra curricula activities for children aged 7 – 14 years.
This will be achieved through: Affiliation to the National Children’s University network
Nationally recognised validation of existing provision through Children’s University (CU) ‘Planning for Learning Framework’
Development and validation of new provision in collaboration with local and national partners
Nationally recognised certification awarded to learners
Graduation Award ceremonies hosted by Staffordshire University for children, families and carers
Additional Benefits
Fostering and nurturing of deeper collaboration and networking across education providers in the sub-region.
Fostering of links between third sector, private sector and public sector stakeholders in the sub-region.
Promotion of extra-curricula activities focusing on local cultural identities and sense of place.
Specific targeting of children and young people resident in the sub regions most deprived areas.
Contribute to LA Children and Young People Plan targets
How?
To date Staffordshire University has taken the lead role in establishing Stoke Children’s University
The University has successfully bid for funding to the National CU to support a project officer post for one year (Circa £28,000.)
The University is contributing £37,277, in overheads, on costs, CU Manager salary, line management, materials, travel expenses, etc
Project Officer Role (from March 2009)
In partnership with CU Manager
Validate local out of school provision & providers for Stoke CU
Establish and maintain databases of providers and provision
Collaborate with CU Manager and other partners in development of funding bids
Delivery of briefing sessions to partners, & other stakeholders
Aid partners and colleagues in creation of new modules
Facilitate wider networking to aid development of Stoke CU
Contribute to marketing of CU
Progress to Date –Chancellor
Professor Christine King CBE , Vice-Chancellor of Staffordshire University, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire was invited to become Chancellor of Stoke Children’s University.
The offer was accepted and Professor King will act as a non-executive figurehead for the Stoke Children’s University.
Progress in – Validation
We have validated some provision with the following : Wedgwood Museum Stoke Museums: Potteries, Gladstone Pottery and Etruria
Industrial museums and Ford Green Hall Stoke on Trent Libraries Stoke City Football club Ambassador Theatre Group (Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall)
We are in discussion with a range of other providers concerningvalidation.
New Vic Theatre Port Vale Football Club
These providers can now display the National CU quality mark. Children taking part in validated activities can count these toward CU Certification and graduation.
Progress in products –Values ExchangeThe Values Exchange (VX) is an innovative software application
developed by Professor Seedhouse in New Zealand.
Originally developed to aid ethical decision making for healthcare
professionals, the software has been adapted for broader use
and is used extensively through schools in Australia.
Staffordshire University currently hold a licence to use VX and
have adapted it’s use for undergraduate and post-graduate study
across a range of disciplines.
Staffordshire University, the Stoke Children’s University Project
Officer and Professor Seedhouse are currently developing a
bespoke VX application for piloting within Stoke. If the pilot is
successful the CUVX will be rolled out nationally subject to funding.
Progress in – Staff Development
Staffordshire University has a suite of validated community
learning provision that ranges from level 0 (level 3) through to
professional doctorates with all stages in between including
Foundation Degrees, undergraduate modules and masters level.
A small pilot project is being undertaken that will offer bespoke
aspects of this provision free to staff directly involved in
delivering Stoke CU validated activities.
If successful, it is envisaged that capacity in Stoke will be
increased, Staffordshire University will be the national provider
for national CU staff development and provision rolled out to
CUs across the country at reduced cost.
Progress towards – Links with Staffordshire
Stoke CU has already been in discussion with Staffordshire
Local Authority in reference to establishing CU across the
county.
At present the proposed model is untested and
resources are limited. However, it is envisaged that other
areas of Staffordshire will adopt the Stoke CU model, if it is
Successful, prior to establishing a federation of
Staffordshire Children’s Universities.
Further progress – Ongoing activity
Investigating funding options
Attending House of Commons reception
Planning marketing/media campaign
Workshop presentation at forthcoming international
conference
And….
The Next Stage
A major priority is the establishment of a Strategy Board for Stoke CU. The key to the success of the board is its strategic nature and senior level representation from stakeholders.
The terms of reference for the strategy group will focus around four main themes:
Providing a strategic vision which will ensure ‘buy in’ from all represented groups and forward the CU agenda.
Deliver a sustainability of funding through internal and external networking, expertise and access to other sources of funding.
Provide an environment and impetus to further enable, consolidate and encourage partnership working.
Facilitate the formation of discreet working groups to enable delivery of the strategic vision such as a funding group, validation panel, media group, etc.
Targets & Challenges
1. Quality Assurance
The national CU is currently engaged in trialling, evaluating and adapting the Quality In Study Support (QISS) code of practice for CU activity.
Once the second phase of evaluation is complete the CU manager and Project Officer will seek QISS training and accreditation.
Stoke CU is also working closely with ‘ContinYou’ in ensuring more robust quality assurance than that provided by either the Planning for Learning framework or QISS.
Targets & Challenges
2. Status
At present Stoke CU is managed as a Staffordshire University project. Given the overall aims of Stoke CU, a shifting HE policy environment and an uncertain future for widening participation funding we need to ask questions as to whether the Stoke CU should sit wholly within the University, become an independent charity or lie somewhere along this continuum .
There is an urgency to this as CU Funding ceases in March 2010 and the strategy board is still embryonic.
Targets& Challenges
3. Access to Schools
To date Stoke CU has not validated any out of hours
provision within schools in Stoke on Trent.
Although there has been a lot of interest in validating
provision within some schools it has been felt that a more
structured and co-ordinated approach is needed in this
sector than is perhaps merited with other providers.
It is envisaged that the strategy board will develop
networks and consensus as to how this will be best
achieved.
Targets & Challenges
4. Funding
National CU funding ceases in March 2010.
There is a need to both secure and expand the funding
base.
Funding models of other CUs are being reviewed for best
practice and relevance.
It is expected that the membership of the strategic board
will expand funding opportunities and add to the current
bidding activity.
Targets & Challenges
5. Media
Both national CU and Stoke CU are working with high
profile partners.
A marketing/media campaign is currently being planned
with Staffordshire University.
Given the number of proposed partners strategic decisions
are required to ensure an effective and equitable media
coverage.
Targets & Challenges
6. Tracking/Data Protection
There are complex issues surrounding the tracking of CU
participants and maintaining a data base and record of
achievement .
The CU is taking advice from the University data protection
officer in regard to this issue. At present participants are
responsible for maintaining there own RoA in the form of a
passport.
A more systematic data collection and storage is required
which must comply with data protection legislation and
ideally emulate best practice. It is hoped that Strategic
Board expertise will aid a resolution to these issues.
Targets & Challenges
7. Target
1000 CU students engaged in 30 hours of validated CU
activity (Bronze Award) or 30,000 hours of learning-by
March 2010. The majority of which will be reached through
validation of existing provision.
Useful Links
Macbeath, G. Waterhouse,J. (2008) Evaluation of the
Children’s University-First Report. University of Cambridge.
URL: http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/Evaluation-of-the-Childrens-University---First-Report/
National CU websiteURL:http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/
Activity
What would you do to ensure future funding and growth of
the Stoke CU?