Awards and schemes

Established in 2007, the Children’s University is a critically acclaimed charity, which encourages children aged 4 - 14 to try novel experiences, develop new interests and acquire new skills. Children can only aspire to what they know and our vision is to inspire all young people, but particularly those who need it most, to discover innovative and creative learning outside the normal school day, boosting their self-confidence and love of learning. Our fundamental principles are that learning should be voluntary, fun and owned by the child.

As they spend time learning with us, children can ‘graduate’ from Children’s University in local ceremonies that mirror adult graduations down to the traditional outfit of mortarboards and gowns. The opportunity to participate in these proud moments gives the children targets to which to aspire, fuelling their desire to keep learning.


Activities
Any activities which take place outside of the school day which children attend voluntarily could be validated. The activity must be validated Children’s University Learning Destination. We are able to validate any activity that enables children or young people to develop skills or knowledge and relates to a subject that can be studied in Higher Education. Activities can take place at art galleries, zoos, aquariums, libraries and museums but also less obvious sites for learning such as local radio stations, restaurants, hotels etc. There may be learning Destinations outside of Norfolk which have been validated by other CU areas which Norfolk CU children can also visit when they are in other parts of the country.

Getting involved
Membership of the CU can be organised either through your school if they are part of the scheme or through the library. If your child’s school are not members of the children’s university and would like to be, the children’s university can sen a welcome pack containing lots of information about the scheme and details of how to join

Norfolk’s Wildlife Trust’s Children’s university activities
We offer the activities/events which are linked to the Children’s university
  • Coastal Creations
  • Crafty Creations
  • Dyke Dabbling
  • Early Birds
  • Magical moths
  • Miraculous Minibeasts
  • Ranworth Rambling
  • Roackpool Rummaging
  • Rocks and Relics
  • Sea Dipping
 
If you have questions or queries about the Children’s’ University scheme with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, or would like further information, please contact Annabel Hill, Senior Education Officer directly on 01603 598347 or email [email protected]
 
For more detail of how your child can take part, please visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/childrensuniversity
Learning Outside the Classroom is a registered charity who champion learning outside the classroom (LOtC). The Quality badge is a national award which combines the essential elements of provision (learning and safety) in a recognisable accreditation scheme for all types of learning outside the classroom provider organisations.

The badge assists teachers by reducing the red tape associated with learning outside the classroom, in the hope to increase the likelihood of children experiencing outdoor education which will benefit their educational, social and emotional development. The learning outside the classroom have put together a document which highlights the benefits of using LOtC Quality Badge holders which can be printed off and incorporated into your health and safety procedures.

For further information about Learning Outside the Classroom, please visit their website by clicking here

Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Learning Outside the Classroom
Norfolk Wildlife Trust has been awarded with a quality badge since 2011. Quality Badge holders are reassessed every two years. In May 2017, we were reassessed and successfully, rewarded the badge for a further two years. This means that the quality of our education provision and risk management procedures has been nationally recognised.

If you have questions or queries about the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Learning Outside the Classroom badge, or would like further information, please contact Annabel Hill, Senior Education Officer directly on 01603 598347 or email [email protected]
The Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents in a creative, valuable and accessible way. There are five levels, four qualifications and an introduction award which are Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver and Gold. The awards are for children and young people up to the age of 25.

The Arts Award missions is to ‘support young people who want to deepen their engagement with the arts, build creative and leadership skills, and to achieve a national qualification.’

The Arts Award is managed by Trinity College London in association with the Arts Council England which lunched in 2005. Art centres now include colleges and schools, community projects, libraries, galleries, local authorities, theatres, youth clubs and youth justice settings.
 
Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Arts Award
In 2016, Norfolk Wildlife Trust became accredited as an Arts Centre. Key education staff received training to become Arts Advisors to deliver Discover and Explore tailored sessions. As part of our 90th anniversary celebrations, we’ve designed a packaged session which focuses on our ‘9 for 90’ species to raise awareness of key Norfolk species and their habitats. Please visit our 9 for 90 Outreach page for further details.

The high quality art exhibitions at Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre (NWT Cley Marshes) have enabled us to expand our Arts Award session by basing Discover sessions around current exhibitions.

If you are interested in an Arts Award sessions with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, or would like further information, please contact Annabel Hill, Senior Education Officer directly on 01603 598347 or email [email protected]
For further information about the Arts Award, please visit their website.