Thousands of pupils from Liverpool, Sefton, and Wirral graduate from Children’s University

Thousands of primary schools across Sefton, Liverpool and Wirral are taking part in special graduation ceremonies to celebrate their out of school achievements.

The feel-good events are hosted by Elevate Education Business Partnership which delivers the Children’s University programme across the north west. Children’s University is a national charitable initiative that rewards children for taking part in learning and enrichment activities beyond the normal school curriculum.

Held at Edge Hill University, the University of Liverpool, and Liverpool John Moores University, these joyful occasions mark the culmination of the students’ hard work and offer an inspiring step toward the next stage of their education.

Erryn Cliffe, marketing and communications lead for Elevate EBP in Bootle said:

“It’s a wonderful celebration of all the hours these children have put in – some of them hundreds of hours beyond their normal school work.

“There are audible gasps when their efforts are read out; it’s amazing. There are so many distractions for young people today that make their efforts even more applaudable. And there are so many benefits of, and for, what they do outside school, that we really feel it’s worth celebrating their dedication.”

The children from Year 2 and Year 6 don tiny caps and gowns, and get certificates and awards from Bronze, Silver, Gold, and beyond, depending on the number of hours devoted to their activities.

Erryn added:

“We always have a guest speaker, and the children shake their hand and walk across the stage to collect their certificates. There’s even a cap toss at the end, which the children love. It’s just lovely to be involved.”

Through the Children’s University programme, students in primary schools collect credits for voluntary learning activities that can be carried out through after-school clubs, at home, in local libraries, museums, sports clubs, arts organisations, community venues, or other validated Learning Destinations.

There’s a huge network of Learning Destinations across the region that youngsters can get involved with through schools which sign up to the initiative.

Erryn commented:

“We have a passport to learning and that gets stamped. Sefton is the biggest area and has been involved for 15 years, Liverpool has been involved since around Covid time, and Wirral is in its first year. Altogether, we have 13,762 primary school students enrolled in the programme from 51 schools.

There are so many activities and clubs, from drama and musical theatre to forest schools and chess clubs and ICT clubs, sports clubs and teams … anything beyond what they have to do in lessons. Last year 2,500 NW children were involved in the graduations, and in Liverpool City Region this year, 2,019 Year 2 and Year 6 students are graduating across Sefton, Liverpool and Wirral.”

Elevate EBP is a 27-year-old not-for-profit social value organisation that supports young people from primary age right through to high school and young adulthood, running a range of careers and enrichment activities along with programmes to inspire the next generation and workforce. Children’s University is part of that, leading to the graduation ceremonies for Sefton schools last week and this week, for Wirral at the end of June, and Liverpool at the beginning of July.

Erryn added:

“It mimics a real life graduation ceremony to reward the children’s activities rather than academic subjects, and it’s a happy event that sends children on to the next stage of their journey with a big pat on their back.”

Laura Grigsby is Children’s University manager and head of careers education and enrichment for Elevate EBP said:

“Our Children’s University graduations are always my favourite time of year. These ceremonies are such a lovely way to celebrate everything the children have achieved and to see how proud of themselves they are when they walk across the stage in their caps and gowns. It’s very special. Enrichment is such an important national topic in education at the moment, and Children’s University is a really good example of the difference it can make when delivered consistently.

“It gives children the chance to try new things, grow in confidence, figure out what they’re good at, and see learning as something that can happen anywhere, not just in a classroom. These experiences can have a real impact on how children see themselves and what they feel capable of as they grow.

“Our graduations are also a chance to say a huge thank you to everyone who makes it happen. So many teachers give their own time to run clubs and activities that nurture their pupils’ interests, our Learning Destinations offer fantastic local opportunities for children outside of school, and parents and carers play such a big part in encouraging and supporting them along the way. It really does take a village and that community effort is what makes these graduations feel so celebratory.”

Activity providers can find out more about becoming a Learning Destination here.

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