A day to treasure as ATLP students celebrate Children’s University graduation

Hundreds of students from primary and secondary schools across the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) picked up their diplomas as they ‘graduated’ from the 2025 Children’s University.

The students, aged from five to 14, donned gowns and caps in a special celebration at University of Birmingham on June 6.

The event recognised children who have achieved their gold graduation award from the innovative scheme, which encourages youngsters to focus on extracurricular activity and personal development beyond the classroom.

To graduate, the children had to dedicate at least 100 hours to activities with themes as varied as arts and culture, languages, mental health, science and maths and sports.

Opening the event, which was held in the university’s Teaching and Learning Building, ATLP’s Secondary Strategic Lead Ian Smith-Childs congratulated the students on their inspirational efforts.

The impressive scope of the children’s achievement was celebrated during the graduation ceremony. First to graduate were students from ATLP secondary schools The Coleshill School and Arthur Terry School.

Then, in the afternoon, children from some of the Partnership’s primary schools across Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and Tamworth took the stage to receive badges and certificates.

The schools involved were Mere Green Primary School, Coton Green Primary School, William MacGregor Primary School, Curdworth Primary School and Two Gates Primary School.

The pupils, dressed in scarlet gowns and mortarboards, were each handed a badge and diploma, as the number of hours they had dedicated to the Children’s University programme was read aloud to an auditorium packed with proud family and friends.

After the ceremony, children headed outside to toss their caps in the air in celebration!

Throughout the day, talented youngsters from the schools also provided entertainment.

In the morning, Arthur Terry pianist and budding poet Avaani Toor impressed before Coleshill’s Lacie Grogan wowed onlookers with a brilliant dance performance.

After some lunch, it was time to savour more talent as Mere Green pianists Julian Rodrigues and Dea Lau starred, as did their schoolmate flautist Charmaine Kan. Curdworth’s Ruby Mason also took to the floor to perform a brilliant dance.

Two students – Coton Green’s Mia McKeown and Coleshill’s Olivia Blackmore – spoke to the audience about their experiences of taking part in the Children’s University.

Olivia, who completed 851 hours of activities, said: “Children’s University has given myself and other young people a sense of purpose, joy and new interests, as well as helping me to overcome challenges and believe in what I can achieve.

“I say to all of my peers, be proud of yourselves and all you’ve achieved.”

This year’s huge presentation event was co-ordinated for ATLP by Natalie Harris, Head of School at Dunstall Park Primary School in Tamworth. The spectacular occasion was generously sponsored by ATLP partner Meridian Integrated Systems.

Click here to see all of the pictures from this special day.