BITESIZE Youth Theatre
joins the Wrexham Children's University

All BITESIZE YOUTH THEATRE Classes and Courses NOW earn credits towards Wrexham Children's University awards.

Achieving quality learning
for children and young people
in Wrexham

Wrexham Children's University is the first of its kind in Wales, and is committed to giving recognition to Wrexham's busy children who engage in activities outside normal school hours.

These exciting and educational activities are provided by schools and organisations around the Borough, and are submitted as 'modules' with participants credited per hour of engagement.

Fundamentally, the purpose of the Wrexham Children's University is to promote activities that develop "the whole child" and to award credits for participation rather than the traditional educational models of rewarding achievement against predetermined standards.

Working closely with parents, schools and organisations, the Wrexham Children's University aims to extend students learning outside normal teaching hours, by recognising a wide range of learning opportunities.

Wrexham Children's University believes that all aspects of a student's developing skills, interests and abilities are important and should be celebrated. Therefore we are committed to promoting the engagement of young people with education and advancing the individuals contribution to their community.

It provides a broad framework within which each student can reach their maximum potential in whatever area of learning they desire.

For Students

• To develop and enrich their skills, whilst offering new areas to explore
• Recognise a wide range of individual and shared learning opportunities
• To show learning can be fun
• Give an understanding of life outside the classroom

For Parents

• Provide opportunities for children to learn outside normal teaching hours
• Constantly provide varied and high quality programmes
• Recognition of the child's achievements

For Providers and Tutors

• Helping students become more confident and skilled
• Encourages the active involvement of the community in student learning
• Broadening the curriculum opportunities
• Adds value to the role of the tutor
• Continued professional development
• Wider recognition of tutors time and efforts

The aims can be achieved by organising a range of modules which take place outside normal teaching hours, including:

• Extra Curricular Activities - taking place during lunch hours and at the end of the school day.
• Weekend Activities - to help students build on their strengths
• Holiday Activities - workshop classes in the community
• Distance Learning - designed for students to complete at home.

Children's University Subsections

• Kids' College - age 5-8, school years 1-3
• Children's University - age 9-13, school years 4-8
• Youth University - age 14-19, school years 9-13+

NB: For all awards other than those of the Kids College, 5% of the credit value for the Children's University and 10% for the Youth University must be community contributions. Students may not be awarded credit for modules they repeat.

Credits are awarded for each hour completed within the student's chosen module of learning held at a registered 'activity centre'. The credits (hours of engagement) accumulate within each sector of the Children's University system. Each sector will have the following level of achievement:

Kids' College (age 5-8) (yrs 1-3)
& Children's University (age 9-13) (yrs 4-8)

• Bronze Award
• Silver Award
• Gold Award

Youth University (age 14-19) (yrs 9-13+)

• Certificate
• Diploma
• Advanced Diploma

On completion of each activity, the student is rewarded with a 'module certificate'. The credits (minimum 5, maximum 20) are then 'banked'. Credits accumulate as students opt for further modules. A full record of all completed modules is maintained throughout, and listed in full at award level. This record is actual proof that the student has voluntarily and enthusiastically engaged in a variety of exciting activities.

Celebrating Achievements every step of the way

Each time a module is completed a certificate will be presented, and celebrated. Credits then accumulate and build up to specific award levels, with further high profile ceremonies held to recognise individual achievement.