Cardiff University’s Centre for Student Life has played host to a different kind of graduation ceremony – one for children from across the city.

The pupils from four primary schools dressed in traditional caps and gowns to mark the completion of a new scheme designed to encourage and develop a love of learning. The youngsters are now graduates of the Children’s University, a charity that helps to deliver extra-curricular opportunities to study different subjects, learn new skills and develop existing ones.

The pilot scheme has seen more than 400 children at St Mary the Virgin Church in Wales Primary in Butetown, St Fagan’s Primary, Peter Lea Primary in Fairwater and Windsor Clive Primary in Ely take part.

It gave pupils access to more than 90 different activities, such as fitness classes, art and music lessons, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) modules as well as cultural and graphics design courses. As the children took part, their activities contributed towards a ‘Passport to Learning’ and, ultimately to a graduation ceremony, attended by the top 20% of participants in each school.

Nicki Prichard, Headteacher at St Mary’s, said the scheme had been a great success. “Around 100 of our Years Four and Five pupils took part. We had some amazing visits from Professor Paul Roche from Cardiff University who showed us telescopes, infrared cameras and gave our children a new understanding of space. Just as importantly, the Children’s University sessions helped our children learn about creativity, teamwork and the importance of collaboration.”

The school, which is among the most ethnically diverse in the city and has 75% of pupils with English as an additional language, has recently been awarded School of Sanctuary status, in recognition of its work with refugee children. The school’s catchment is in the top 10% of Wales for deprivation.

Nicki added: “As a School we want to say a huge thank you for all the time, thought, effort and energy that went into the Graduation Ceremony. It was brilliant to see it come to life in such an inspiring way. Your efforts were not only inspiring for our children - our parents experienced

higher education for the first time and we know that if we want to reach our current learners, we need to reach their families. This week they have seen, known and felt what it is to be part of a university and with that, the pride and sense of achievement it brings. We look forward to continued work with the Children’s University, Cardiff University and Cardiff Council.”

Professor Les Baillie, based at Cardiff University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, said: “While Cardiff University represents our city on the world stage, it also has a role to play in supporting and raising the aspirations of young people in Cardiff. The Children’s University provides opportunities for local children from our diverse communities to gain a range of skills which could one day lead them to study at university.”

Councillor Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader and Cardiff Council’s Cabinet member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “I’m delighted that the schools have embraced the scheme so whole-heartedly and we now intend to extend it to every school in Cardiff from September.

“Making sure that Cardiff is a great place to grow up remains high on our agenda and by optimising use of the city’s resources and the fantastic opportunities available through our partnership with Cardiff University, we are able to engage with children and young people through a wonderfully diverse range of provision, some of which they might not usually be able to access.”

Professor Baillie added: “Thanks to the work of a team of fantastic volunteers from the School of Pharmacy, Civic Mission, Estates and Widening Participation, feedback on the Children’s Graduation event received from family members, teachers and council representatives was extremely positive. For many this was the first time they had set foot on the University campus. We look forward to seeing at least some of those children who graduated from the children’s university return to graduate from Cardiff University, and quite possibly go on to be stars of the future.”