Sheffield Children's University

GCSE Results Day 💙

Today is about so much more than grades.

Whether you're celebrating the results you hoped for or feeling unsure about what's next, remember that exam results are just one part of your story. Your creativity, kindness, resilience and determination matter too. We're so proud of you ALL!

Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today. Whatever your results, be proud of how far you've come and keep believing in yourself. 🌟

We love seeing what can grow from a shared idea! 💜

Through South Yorkshire Children’s University, Sheffield CU has worked with Anmol, Pascha and the wider HeppSY team to develop the GOALS Breakfast Club, building on our original Acorn Fund model.

GOALS combines breakfast with fun, practical activities that help secondary school students develop confidence, friendships and skills including teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. Students then put their learning into action by planning and applying for funding for an enrichment activity of their own.

Schools have seen students grow in confidence, form new friendships, become more involved in school life and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

A real team effort - and a partnership we’re very proud to be part of. Watch the video to find out more 👇

GOALS Breakfast Club: Growing Our Achievement, Learning and Skills Devised in partnership with South Yorkshire Children’s University -...

Have you visited a Children’s University Learning Destination outside Sheffield this school holiday? 🌍

Claiming your CU credits works a little differently:

✅ Get your Passport to Learning stamped or signed at the Learning Destination
✅ Ask for the CU Stamp Code – a colour and four numbers – and make a note of it
✅ Visit https://bit.ly/claimSCUcreditsbeyondSheffield
✅ Complete the form and we’ll add the credits to your child’s account

You can search for Children’s University Learning Destinations across the country at www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/activity-search

Where have your adventures taken you this summer? ☀️

We’re just over halfway through the school holidays already – but there’s still plenty of time for more summer fun! ☀️

Our Summer Holiday Activity Newsletter is packed with ideas from across South Yorkshire, including free activities, days out, Home Learning Challenges and lots of opportunities to earn Children’s University credits.

Take a look and start planning your next summer adventure 👇
https://www.hepp.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Summer-2026-Holiday-Activity-Newsletter.pdf

📚🎵 Join the FREE Summer Reading Challenge 2026! 🎵📚

This year's Summer Reading Challenge, created by The Reading Agency, is called Read to the Beat! It encourages children to explore the connection between stories and music, discovering how reading and songs can spark creativity and imagination.

⭐ Got a Sheffield Children's University Passport to Learning?
Children can also earn CU credits by taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge and attending participating library and other activities (£3.50 from any library if you haven't already got one, if you attend a Sheffield school or are a member of our Home Education group)

✅Find your nearest Sheffield Libraries, Archives & Information
✅Pop along, join the library (if you're not already a member!), and sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge (ALL FREE!)
✅Get your CU Passport to Learning ready!
✅Choose books, borrow and read them over the summer
✅Get your books ticked off on your Challenge sheet when you return them to the library
✅Get your CU Passport to Learning signed and add your child's details to the CU register at the library (they'll send it to us - that's how we know to award your credits)

The challenge is FREE to take part in through your local library, and if you're not already a member, joining the library is completely free too! Libraries offer access to thousands of books, audiobooks, activities and events throughout the summer.

🎶 Read to the Beat!
📖 Discover brilliant books
🏛️ Join your local library for free
⭐ Earn CU credits
☀️ Enjoy a summer full of reading adventures

Visit your local library and sign up today!

🎉 Did your child receive a CU Curiosity Club bag from school before the summer holidays? 🎉

Don't forget to sign up to the CU Curiosity Club Parent & Carer Mailing List! All the details are inside your child's activity pack.

By joining our mailing list, you'll hear directly from the Sheffield Children's University team throughout the summer. We'll be sharing:
✅ Ideas and inspiration for each of the activities in the bag
✅ Helpful hints and tips
✅ Fun challenges and extra activities
✅ Reminders and updates from the CU team
✅ Ways to help your child get the most from their CU Curiosity Club experience

It's a great way to stay connected, discover new ideas, and keep the curiosity going all summer long! 🌟

If your child received a CU Curiosity Club bag from school, simply scan the QR code in your pack and sign up today.

We can't wait to explore, create, discover and learn with you this summer! 🚀🔍🎨📚

🎵 Welcome to our newest Learning Destination – Lowe Academy of Music and the Arts! 🎵

We're delighted to welcome Lowe Academy of Music and the Arts as the latest Learning Destination to join Sheffield Children's University. Based in Sheffield, Lowe Academy works with schools, families and communities to make music accessible to everyone through inclusive, high-quality music education. They offer opportunities to learn a range of instruments, develop musical skills, take part in group sessions and explore creativity through music.

If your child has a CU Passport to Learning, they can now earn CU credits by taking part in eligible Lowe Academy activities and lessons. Every credit helps children work towards their Sheffield Children's University awards while discovering new interests and building confidence. Passports can be bought by children attending any Sheffield school (or members of our Home Education group) from any Sheffield library for £3.50.

Whether they're picking up an instrument for the first time or developing existing talents, Lowe Academy offers a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to learn, create and grow through music. 🎹🎸🥁🎤

Find out more about Lowe Academy and start earning those CU credits! 🎓✨

🦁 Discover the Pride of Yorkshire this Summer! 🦁

Looking for a fun, FREE family adventure during the school holidays? Why not take part in the Pride of Yorkshire Trail and see how many amazing lion sculptures you can spot across the region! 🌟

✅ Create a free account at the Pride of Yorkshire website and log the lions you find
✅ Follow the trail and explore new places across South Yorkshire
✅ Complete the special SYCU activity to earn 3 Children's University credits!

Not only is it a fantastic way to get out and about with family and friends, but the Pride of Yorkshire campaign is also helping to raise funds for Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS and Charity to support the transformation of the Emergency Department. 💙

Download the SYCU activity here: https://bit.ly/PrideofYorkshireSYCUActivity or email us if you need a printed copy ([email protected])

All info on how to claim your CU credits is on the image.

Have you started the trail yet? Let us know how many lions you've discovered! Tag us in your photos too!🦁👇

What happens when great organisations work together? Amazing opportunities for CU schools and their children and young people!

Back in April, Sheffield Children's University teamed up with The Sheffield College and Sheffield City Council Adult Health & Social Care Services to give primary school pupils a hands-on introduction to Health & Social Care.

The children got stuck into practical activities, including handwashing challenges, sensory awareness tasks, teamwork exercises and even using a hoist to move a mannequin safely. Along the way, they learned about empathy, communication and the important role care professionals play in our communities.

For many of the children, it was their first time visiting a college, and they loved the chance to learn alongside current students and experience college life for themselves.

A huge thank you to Johanna Andrews, Joseph Leech, school staff and everyone involved in making the day such a success. By working together, we're helping children discover new interests, explore future career possibilities and build confidence through real-world experiences.

Read a copy of our impact case study here: https://bit.ly/CULiveHealthandSocialCare2026

This is just the start though - we're looking to develop more CU Live! experiences for our schools, children and young people. If you have an idea about where we can visit next, let us know! Factories, businesses, college or university departments, emergency services...there's no limit!

☀️🎨 Get Creative This Summer with the ootiboo SummerCraft Competition!

Calling all Sheffield CU members! We’re excited to share the Ootiboo SummerCraft Competition, celebrating all things summer. Whether you love painting, drawing, collage, clay, fabric, crafts or something completely unique, this is your chance to get creative and showcase your talents!

📸 Create a summer-themed craft, take a photo or video of your masterpiece, and upload it via the Ootiboo competition page. Entries are free, and you can enter as many times as you like!

🏆 There are over £500 worth of prizes up for grabs, including book bundles, gift cards, games, toys and more.
⭐ CU members can also earn CU Credits for taking part, if they have a CU Passport to Learning (available from Sheffield Libraries for £3.50)! Simply enter the competition, they'll send you a CU code, then visit https://bit.ly/claimSCUcreditsbeyondSheffield, include the CU code and your Passport to Learning number and we'll award your CU credits (1 per entry).
⏰ Competition closes at midnight on 31 August.

Find out more, get some ideas and inspiration and submit your entry here:
🔗 https://play.ootiboo.com/projects/summercraft

Good luck!