FAQs
How do I join?
The Children’s University has been offered to all Local Authority schools in the Havant area. Signing up is purely voluntary and it will be up to each school to decide if they feel it will benefit their pupils. As you can imagine, there are a lot of schools in the area so it is going to be a gradual process. However we are hoping that as more schools join and see how much children enjoy getting rewarded for doing after school activities, then more schools will be interested.
We have had several queries from parents of pupils who are interested in their children joining Havant Children’s University. In these cases we find out which school their children attend and approach the school, to advise them that there has been interest from their pupils and parents.
Why can I only join through a school?
We feel that the model we have adopted for the Havant area is sustainable in the long term. Schools which opt to join the initiative are responsible for selling the children the passports and monitoring the children’s learning hours.
How much does it cost to do activities?
The cost of activities depends on the activity and the activity provider. Havant Childrens University validates the activities, but has no authority regarding pricing. The responsibility for finding out the price and booking activities lies with the parents.
Can I get a passport if I live in Havant but go to school in Portsmouth?
The simple answer is Yes. The initiative is for all children between the age of 7 and 14 years old in the Havant area so if you / your child goes to school outside Havant, you will be able to buy a passport from the Havant Children’s University Co-ordinator at a cost of £2. The contact details of the Co-ordinator are on this website. In these cases it will the responsibility of the parent/carer of the child to monitor the Learning Hours and to contact the Co-ordinator when the child has reached their bronze, silver and gold targets.
When do I get invited to a Graduation Ceremony?
Every time you hit one of the targets of bronze, silver or gold, you will get invited to a Graduation Ceremony. It may be that you pass your bronze and reach your silver before the next Graduation Ceremony is being held. In that case you will only be invited once for your joint bronze and silver and once for your gold.
What happens after you get your gold certificate?
That is a good question. In other children universities they have gone beyond gold to diamond and platinum. The National Children’s University™ is currently pondering that same question, so watch this space.
What if I am doing an activity that is not validated, how can I get it validated?
You can tell them about Havant Children’s University and ask them to contact the Co-ordinator, or you can send the activity provider’s details to the Co-ordinator.
What activities can be validated?
Activities need to relate to a University Degree. These are all listed on the UCAS website.
Can I get stamps when I go on holiday?
Yes. If you are going on holiday, you can visit the National Children’s University website and find out which public learning destinations you can visit while you are holiday and get more stamps.
What is the difference between a restricted Learning Destination and a Public Learning Destination?
Public Learning Destinations are places where anyone can visit or book up to do an activity. Restricted Learning Destinations are places like schools. In most schools, only the pupils of that school are allowed to take part in the after school activities which are provided by the school.