Study Support, or Out Of School Hours Learning (OOSHL), is a term given to activities which take place outside the normal school day. These can be activities such as breakfast clubs, homework clubs, schemes like Kent Children University or residential activities. Much independent evidence concludes that Study Support benefits those who take part in a number of ways. For example, they tend to achieve better results at school, have better self confidence and increased attendance levels.

No, not at all. KCU is open to any child who attends a school which is part of the scheme.The name Children's University is derived from the fact that children choose what they want to learn about BEFORE they attend, in a similar way to adults choosing what they wish to study at a real university. The analogy continues when a child completes his/her course. Each child who has attended each session will be presented with a certificate. We like to think they have "graduated" from the Kent Children's University in the subject they have been studying.

We currently allocate places either on a "Names out of a Hat" basis, or on a "First Come First Served" method. It is made clear to parents, via the KCU programme, which allocation method is being used for each of our activities. We strive to ensure that the number of children turned down each term is kept as small as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to ever guarantee places.

Yes. We are keen to ensure the quality of teaching offered by KCU tutors is second to none. All tutors who offer courses for the scheme are asked to complete lesson plans. These clearly show us the intended learning outcomes for each session. We ask our Centre Managers to informally observe the tutors on a weekly basis. KCU Management also informally observe tutors. As part of a wider quality assurance programme a number of our tutors are formally assessed by trained assessors. The process lasts for up to two hours with written feedback being provided.

KCU is very proud of the quality of the courses it offers. We have been awarded a Quality in Study Support Advanced mark for our work around the county.

We are the only Children's University in the UK to achieve this and only the second study support proivder in Kent to be awarded this accolade.

For more information on this please "google" QISS. www.qiss.org.uk.

KCU is offered on a voluntary basis is many parts of Kent. In some areas we ask for a voluntary contribution to help cover costs. We would stress however, that if a child really is keen to attend but their parents are genuinely  unable to pay, we can often help out with fees.

All applications, whether including payment or not, are equally likely to be given a place.

All staff who work in our Centres are enhanced CRB checked before they are offered work with us.

This now includes tutors who are currently work in KCC schools too.

Without a valid KCC-instigated enhanced CRB check we are unable to employ any member of staff.

Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee places for anyone.

Each of our courses are limited to a maximum of 16 participants (20 for Family Learning). Some of our courses are very popular and quickly get oversubscribed. Alternatively, on occasion, a few of our courses will need to be cancelled due to insufficient interest. In both the above cases we would attempt to offer applicants their second or third choice. We do have a few children, around 5-10%, who we are unable to offer their first, second or third choice. We are conscious of the upset a rejection may cause and therefore work hard to try to ensure the number of rejections is kept to a minimum each term.

Unfortunately, KCU is only available for children in Yrs 5 and 6. Our tutors tailor their lessons to be specifically suited to this age group.

Family Learning activities are open to all children in KS2 provided they are accompanied by an adult family member.

Tadpole Club is open to those children in KS1 (excluding reception).

Holiday Time Club, Summer Schools and Masterclasses are open to all in KS2.

In some parts of the county we offer holiday time clubs. As the name suggests, these courses run during half term. Children are informed of any courses which they can attend via a programme which is sent via their school.

Any child who completes 40+ hours of learning with KCU is eligible for a diploma. Parents of children who have completed this amount of time with us should contact the KCU office. Their child will be invited to attend the annual KCU diploma celebration event which takes place at the Medway Campus of  Greenwich University. A buffet is provided for the children and an adult from their family.

Please speak with the headteacher. Ask them to contact us. We will then visit the school and discuss our requirements. We are always keen to involve more schools in the scheme if possible.

Indeed we are. KCU is always keen to find new tutors to work with small groups of children on Saturdays, or during holiday periods, around the county. Tutors do not need to have formal teaching qualifications to work with us. All we ask is that they are prepared to be enhanced CRB checked,  attend an induction session (or complete an induction CD) and are happy to provide us with lesson plans of what they hope to teach the children. The role of the tutor is a paid position and courses do not have to be linked to the National Curriculum.

Each term schools which are affiliated to the scheme will receive a programme for every eligible child. The KCU activities take place in November, January and June. Programmes will be sent out around a month prior to the courses starting.

In some areas of Kent we offer courses for Key Stage Three children (12-14 year olds). These are called Kent Youth University (KYU). They run along similar lines to KCU. If your child attends a secondary school which is part of the KYU scheme they will receive termly programmes informing them what courses we are hoping to run in their area.

Do you do anything for younger children?

In some areas of Kent we offer courses for Key Stage One children (not reception year). These are called Tadpole Club. They run for 2 consecutive mornings (usually 10am till noon).  If your child attends an infant school which is part of the Tadpole scheme they will receive programmes informing them what courses we are hoping to run in their area.

Can you contact me directly, rather than via my child's school?

Unfortunately we are unable, at this time, to communicate directly with parents. All of our literature and paperwork will be sent via your child's school.

We try to ensure every child who applies gets a place. Many of our courses are very popular and therefore get over subscribed. By offering a second / third  choice we hope to prevent more children from being disappointed and not being able to come along.

KCU requires funding to provide the services we offer. Although we receive funding from KCC and outside agencies we do not, at this time, have sufficient funds to allow us to run courses across all areas of the county. For this reason only certain schools are currently affiliated to us. Also we are aware that we have a finite number of tutors who will work for us. If we were to offer places to all schools in the county our "rejection rates" would become unacceptably high. KCU is keen to expand, but will only consider doing so when we have the infastructure in place.

Please contact the KCU office. There is a good chance we can still offer your child the chance to attend one of our courses.

Unfortunately not. Kent Children's University is only for children. We cannot invite adults along due to child protection implications.