Children's University
We have proudly held the Children's University licence for the London Borough of Bexley since 2018. As part of the national Children's University network, this partnership enables children and young people to have their learning recognised and rewarded wherever they are in the UK. Through participation in accredited learning activities, children collect stamps in their Children's University Passport to Learning, building towards nationally recognised awards and graduation ceremonies.
What is Children's University?
Children's University (CU) is a national charity that encourages, tracks and celebrates learning that takes place beyond the classroom. It aims to inspire children and young people to develop new interests, skills and aspirations through participation in high-quality extracurricular activities.
Children can take part in a wide range of learning opportunities, including sports, creative arts, science, technology, cultural visits, outdoor learning, community projects and many other experiences. Each activity is quality-assured and accredited by Children's University, allowing participants to collect stamps in their Passport to Learning and work towards certificates and graduation awards.
As members of the national Children's University network, children can earn stamps at participating Learning Destinations across the UK, meaning their learning journey continues whether they are at home, on holiday or visiting another part of the country.
Bexley CU
Bexley CU works with schools, learning providers and community organisations across Bexley to create exciting opportunities for children and young people to engage in learning beyond the school day. We support schools in implementing the Children's University programme and help Learning Destinations gain accreditation so that children have access to a rich and diverse range of experiences.
Through Children's University, we celebrate curiosity, encourage lifelong learning and help children build confidence, resilience and aspirations for the future.
Expanding Our Reach - East Sussex CU
We are delighted to announce that from Autumn 2026, we will also be facilitating and supporting the development of East Sussex and Hastings Children's University working in partnership with Hastings Borough Council supported by East Sussex County Council. This expansion will enable even more children and young people to access the benefits of Children's University and participate in the wider national network.
We are delighted that Dame Jacqueline Wilson, the acclaimed children’s author, has agreed to be Chancellor and sponsor for the East Sussex project.
Dame Jacqueline Wilson
Dame Jacqueline Wilson is one of Britain’s outstanding writers for young readers. Known for her contemporary stories many featuring feisty characters like the enduring Tracy Beaker, she has also used historical settings for many books such as Hetty Feather, Opal Plumstead and The Runaway Girls. Jacqueline has published over 120 books for children and since 2024, has written two books for adults. Think Again and Picture Imperfect re-visit characters that Jacqueline first wrote about in her children’s books in the 1990s – characters who are now in their late 30s and having to juggle careers, love, family, friendships on top of daily life.
Born in Bath, Jacqueline spent most of her childhood in Kingston on Thames. She wanted to be a writer from the age of 6 and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine. She started work as a journalist for DC Thomson in Dundee where JACKIE magazine was named after her. Jacqueline has been writing full time, all her adult life and over 40 million copies of her books have been sold in the UK alone. They have been translated into 34 languages.
Jacqueline has been honoured with many of the UK’s top awards including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the Smarties Prize and the Children’s Book of the Year. She was the Children’s Laureate from 2005-2007 and holds Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of Kingston, Bath, Winchester, Dundee and Roehampton where she was also Chancellor for six years. In the 2025 New Year Honours List she was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire – the highest award of its kind.
Watch this space for further updates as we work with partners across East Sussex and Hastings to develop new opportunities for learning, achievement and celebration.
