Children aged 5 to 11 from schools across Barnsley came together to celebrate their hard work and dedication at this year’s Children’s University graduation. The celebration recognised the incredible achievements of pupils who have taken part in fun and engaging learning activities outside of the school day.
What started as a small pilot with just four schools has now grown into a borough-wide initiative, offering a wide variety of opportunities before school, after school, at weekends, and during holidays. These activities encourage children to explore new interests, develop life skills, and build confidence in their own time.
The Children’s University is built on the idea that all children deserve the chance to follow their interests, unlock their potential, and feel proud of their achievements. Supported by Barnsley’s Great Childhoods Ambition, this year’s event celebrated how learning beyond the classroom can help children thrive—supporting their confidence, improving school attendance, and boosting overall wellbeing.
Since it launched, the Children’s University in Barnsley has had a big impact. Over 1,100 children and young people have taken part, completing a combined total of more than 32,000 hours of learning outside the classroom. This year alone, 69 pupils from six schools completed over 100 hours each, with six young learners reaching over 200 hours—and two children surpassing an incredible 300 hours.
All Children’s University activities are quality-checked and linked to a skills framework designed to help young people build vital skills for life and future employment—such as teamwork, creativity, leadership, and problem-solving. Activities range from arts and sports to science, languages, technology and more, giving children the chance to try something new and follow their passions.
To mark the occasion, graduates who achieved the Gold award proudly wore ceremonial caps and gowns as they received their certificates in front of families, teachers and friends. It was a proud and inspiring moment, recognising not just academic progress, but the children’s curiosity, commitment and personal growth.
Cllr Trevor Cave, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services at Barnsley Council, said:
“We’re committed to supporting all children in Barnsley to aim high and achieve their goals. Through partnerships with schools, local businesses and community organisations, we’re creating more opportunities for our young people to succeed. When we work together to celebrate their achievements and support their ambitions, we help shape a brighter future for everyone.”
Barnsley Children’s University is continuing to grow—and is currently looking for more local learning providers to join the programme. If you run extra-curricular activities for children and young people in Barnsley and would like to get involved, visit:
👉 ChildrensUniversity.co.uk/get-involved/learning-providers
