We thought it would be helpful to include a page which features some of the questions, together with our answer, that we have received from other parents and carers about the Colchester Children's University.
 
Guiding and Scouting Activities
Q:  In the online parent guide it specifically mentions Guiding/Scouting activities, but there is nothing on the list of Learning Destinations about whether we can include time spent with Guide/Brownie or Scout/Cub packs with stamps in the Passport to Learning?
 
A:  Before any club/organisation can issue stamps for learning in the Passport to Learning they need to be `validated' to make sure that they meet the quality assurance guidelines laid down by the national Children's University. It's not a difficult or time consuming process.    Around Colchester there are lots and lots of Guiding/Scouting packs.  If you would like to recommend a pack to become a Children's University Learning Destination please ask them to contact us.  As each pack is 'validated' it will be added to the website as a Learning Destination. 
Home Educated Children
 
Q:  My child is home educated.  Can they become a member of the Colchester Children's University?
 
A:  Yes.  The Children's University is open to all children aged 7-14 without exception.  Membership can be arranged directly with the Colchester Children's University™ Office.
 
It is the responsibility of parents of home educated children to advise the Colchester Children's University™ office when their child is close to/has reached any of the Children's University™ Awards thresholds so that an invitation to participate in a Graduation Ceremony can be issued. 
 
Parents of home educated children, who would like their child to participate in a Graduation Ceremony, where they will receive their national Awards Certificate, will be required to pay £15.00 to cover the administration costs, paid to the Colchester Children's University™. 
 
If your child does not participate in a Graduation Ceremony, and you would like their national Award Certificate posted to you, of course this can be arranged.  There will be a charge of £5.00 to cover the administration and postage costs.
 
Every child aged 7-14 years is eligible to participate.  Membership of the Children's University™ costs £2 and you will need to complete a Passport to Learning Order Form which is attached below. 
 
It is the responsibility of parents of home educated children to advise the Colchester Children's University™ office when their child is close to/has reached any of the Children's University Awards thresholds so that an invitation to participate in a Graduation Ceremony can be issued. 
 
Parents of home educated children, who would like their child to participate in a Graduation Ceremony, where they will receive their national Awards Certificate, will be required to pay £15.00 to cover the administration costs, paid to the Colchester Children's University™. 
 
If your child does not participate in a Graduation Ceremony, and you would like their national Award Certificate posted to you, of course this can be arranged.  There will be a charge of £5.00 to cover the administration and postage costs.
 
Moving Schools
 
Q:  My child has moved to a new school.  How can they continue to be part of the Colchester Children's University™?
 
A: If your child has moved to another school (including moving from Primary to Secondary School) since having a Passport please complete the form below.  We can then either contact your new school if they are involved in the Children's University™ or we can use your contact details to inform you directly about our next graduation which will be on 8 February 2012.
 
New Learning Destinations
 
Q: My child attends an after school/weekend club and would like to have his Passport stamped there.  Can I just ask the leader to do this?
 
A: The club must have been 'validated' by the Children's University™ for the hours to count towards your child's certificates.  The validation process is quite straightforward.  We will ask the leader of the group to complete some paperwork for us to demonstrate thet they are offering high quality learning and we will follow this up with a visit.  Once the process is complete their details can be put on our website and they can start to stamp passports.  Your child can earn hours in his/her passport by recommending a possible Learning Destination, for more information on how to do this please click here.   
 
Q: How do I go about recommending a new 'Learning Destination'?
 
A: Ask your child to tell the club/organisation about the Children's University™ and then pass their contact details on to us.  They can then earn some hours in their Passport for 'Research'.  Click here for more information.

Relevant Files for Download:

Here are some resource documents for download, to accompany the information on this page.