Marking an incredible 2024 for South Yorkshire Children’s University!
As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to our partners, schools and Learning Destinations for your unwavering support and commitment to the work of South Yorkshire Children’s University in 2024. It truly is both a privilege and a pleasure to work alongside you as we strive to make a difference for children and young people across the region.
This year has been full of highlights, and it’s important to reflect on just how much we have achieved:
- 4 local CU centres are now fully established, with Barnsley proudly joining the CU family this year, ensuring representation across all areas of South Yorkshire.
- 30,602 children and young people have been actively participating in CU this autumn
- 109 schools are now signed up to CU across the region.
- 12 graduation ceremonies were held across the 4 CU centres in 2024, with over 1,500 pupils celebrating their achievements.
- A remarkable 2.5 million hours of extra-curricular learning were tracked this term – an incredible milestone!
- 35 schools and 455 pupils engaged with Yes Chef: Project in a Box, with 10 schools reaching the final event at Glide House.
- 55 delegates attended the fantastic South Yorkshire CU schools conference this summer.
- 5 special schools took part in the first-ever Nexus ‘Hands in Harmony’ event, inspired by the work of our CU Champions group.
- 12 successful Acorn Fund applications have helped to launch exciting new clubs, including cooking, Lego, cheerleading, gardening, orchestra, and photography.
- 41 schools signed up to this year’s Think Climate: Project in a Box and took part in CPD training to support delivery
- 10 secondary schools across South Yorkshire are engaging with our GOALS breakfast club project, aimed at raising attainment.
- 168 pupils from 4 Barnsley primary schools participated in our first-ever research project, examining the impact of CU on skills development, confidence, motivation, and future aspirations.
While South Yorkshire CU works centrally alongside our local CU centres to drive these successes, none of this would be possible without your support and collaboration. Your contributions play a vital role in ensuring that children and young people across our region have access to life-changing opportunities, and for that, we are truly grateful.
As the year draws to a close, we hope you find time to relax, recharge, and celebrate the incredible work you have been part of. Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue building on these successes, working collaboratively to provide even more opportunities for the children and young people of South Yorkshire.
Thank you again for all your support. We wish you a joyful festive season and a happy, healthy new year. 🎄
Have a well-deserved break, and here’s to another fantastic year of achievements in 2025! 🎓
With our warmest wishes,
Katie and Helen (SYCU), Dawn and Karen (Barnsley CU), Heather (Doncaster CU), Nicola and Fiona (Rotherham CU) and Sakina, Laura, Helen and Katie (Sheffield CU)
