Robert Browning School becomes a Children’s University Campus!

Children’s University is a nationally recognised scheme from the UK which aims to promote life chances for children through providing high quality, out of school hours activities for children aged 7-14.  The Children’s University (CU) promotes the journey to independent learning and has been brought to British Forces Germany by Service Children’s Education. 

Representatives from our School Council met and interviewed Mr Ger Graus, Chief executive of the CU on the 28th February to find out more about the scheme and asked him to explain how the CU worked.  They discovered that the scheme encourages them to collect stamps in a ‘Learning Passport’ for taking part in any learning which is voluntary and linked to the type of learning that they could do if they were really at University!   The children were particularly excited about the fact that they would be rewarded for their hours of voluntary learning during a special graduation ceremony which will be held in conjunction with Paderborn University later this year.

The school council representatives decided that it would be a really good idea for Robert Browning School to take part and recommended it to all children in Years 2 - 4. 

Therefore on Wednesday 9th March we decided to go ahead and launched the Children’s University at Robert Browning School and we were delighted with the number of parents who came to find out about the scheme and ultimately decided that they would like their child to take part.  To date we now have over 50 children at Robert Browning who have been issued with their personal passport to learning and we are hoping to see many of them graduating in the first ever graduation ceremony in July.   

Working towards graduation!

There are many ways in which a child at Robert Browning can earn stamps for voluntary learning and the school has been working very closely with both providers within the Garrison and public destinations who have also agreed to take part.   Within school many of the after school clubs have been validated and have become CU clubs in which children can attend and earn stamps for taking part.  Within the Garrison the following groups and organisations have also been validated and are awarding stamps to children participating:

Library Service
2nd Sennelager Brownies
Paderborn Pirates Rugby Club
Roland’s Sports Club
Attic Amateur Theatre Company

The passports can be used at public learning destinations in the local area such as:

Heinz Nixdorf Museum - Paderborn
Paderborn Tractor Museum
Detmold Open Air Museum
Detmold Landes Museum
Bielefeld Kunsthalle
Bielefeld Historisches Museum
Bielefeld Huevelsman Museum
Lienen Barefoot walk

Passports can also be used in the UK! Further information on UK destinations (and the Children's University in general) can be viewed on the Children's University website by clicking the logos on the left or right - just follow the 'Learning Destinations' link.

What's on offer in the Garrison as part of Children's University

Some 'learning destinations' are called Restricted Learning Destinations. Restricted Learning Destinations are opportunities which will only be offered to a limited group (for example pupils from SCE schools or who live within the Paderborn Garrison). The number and list of Restricted Learning Destinations will grow over the coming months; however, you can start collecting stamps straight away by taking part in the following:

Reading Award Scheme

If you love to read and are interested in books why don't you visit the library here on Normandy Barracks and take part in their 'reading award' scheme? To complete your bronze award at the library you need to read 20 books of your choice. If you complete this challenge and write a book review then, not only will you receive your bronze award from the library but you will also be awarded 5 stamps for your passport.

Summer Reading Challenge

Every summer the library service runs a reading challenge. Last year the reading challenge was called the 'space hopper challenge'. If you take part in this summers reading challenge then you will be awarded5 stamps for your passport a swell as being presented with a certificate and a medal for participating.

The Libarary is open every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 09:00 - 16:30 and every Friday from 09:00 - 13:00. If you would like to find out more please contact the library service directly on Tel Civ: 05254 982 2481 Mil:79 2481 Email: sennlib@alibs.detsa.co.uk

Brownies

The 2nd Sennelager Brownies group have now been validated and have become supporters of Children's University! If your child attends this group then the Leaders will be able to explain how your child can achieve stamps in their passports. In principle the children will be awarded stamps in their passports for attending the weekly meetings, completing a badge or taking part in wider guiding events. If you would like to join the Brownies group please contact Mrs Jo Purves on sennelagerbrownies@hotmail.co.uk.

The 2nd Sennelager Brownies meet every Tuesday from 5.30pm – 7pm on Normandy Barracks.

Tennis Coaching & Swimming Lessons

If you would like your child to learn how to play tennis or take part in swimming lessons then they could take part in a range of activities run by Roland's Sports club. Roland has now been validated as a learning destination and offers a range of tuition. Click here to go to his website and find out more about sports tuition in the area.

Paderborn Pirates

You can earn stamps for your passport by joining the Paderborn Pirates Rugby team! Training takes places on the Bad Lippspringe sports field on Sunday from 1100 - 12:30. Click on the Pirate to find out more or follow them on facebook.

Attic Amateur Theatre Company
The Attic Amateur Theatre Company has been validated and has become part of the Children's University! Every year they work hard to put on a pantomime in the Paderborn Garrison. Children, aged from 9 years and above are invited to audition if they would like to take part. If you would like to tread the stage and take part in the next production keep an eye open for the auditions which are usually held in September/October.

In the very near future we hope that the following organisations or activities will also become validated learning destinations:

If you think that your organisation, club or group would like to get involved in this exciting and innovative scheme then please contact Rachel Thomas, Deputy Head Teacher at Robert Browning School on 05254 982 2401/Mil 79 2401.

What better way to celebrate our children’s learning activities and experiences and to help them develop the understanding that learning can be the satellite navigation to better places in life!!