Children's University Graduation 2026
Altus Education Partnership was proud to host its 3rd annual Rochdale Children’s University graduation over two days this year, on 23 and 24 June in the wonderful Rochdale Town Hall.
This year, 622 pupils from 13 schools and 1 community group attended, observing a 51% increase on last year’s numbers. Along with a higher number of distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale, Cllr. Faisal Rana and his consort, Mrs Iram Faisal, Cllr. Rachel Massey, colleagues from local businesses and educational establishments, Altus academies and the Local Authority. We also welcomed our sponsors to the event including Casey Construction, Edgar Wood Academy, Hopwood Hall College, Just Teachers, Kingsway Park High School, Lancaster University, Madeleine Lindley, The Ogden Trust, Rochdale BID, Rochdale Sixth Form College, Rochdale Training, University of Salford, Star Academies and Top Marks Education, with whom we could not have delivered such a wonderful event.
We were delighted that our guest visitor and speaker this year was acclaimed children’s author, M.G Leonard (Maya), who talked to the children about how she loved to read as a child and create the stories and adventures of ‘awesomeness’ in her mind but that her mind worked quicker than her hand so she wasn’t very good at writing at school, however, she never gave up and today, she has sold over 1 million books, with some being transformed into Netflix series. She talked about her latest book “The Impossible Gladiator”, part of her Time Keys series about a group of children enjoying an amazing holiday in Rome, until they hear about the mysterious disappearance of the world-famous illusionist, Kinetic. Secret time doors transport the children the spectacular and deadly Colosseum in Ancient Rome. But can the brave trio survive long enough to find Kinetic and bring him home?...
Maya gave all the children their graduation certificates and all children who attended received a signed copy of “The Impossible Gladiator” in their goody bag. They also had the opportunity to throw their caps in true graduation tradition!
The Children’s University (www.childrensuniversity.co.uk) is a free offer to all Rochdale primary schools and community groups, recognising and rewarding engagement in extra-curricular activity. Children who complete 30 or more hours of activity during the school year were invited to attend the celebratory event at Rochdale Town Hall.
Children from Bamford Academy, Broadfield Community Primary, Caldershaw Primary, Castleton Primary, Elmwood Primary, Hamer Community Primary, Heywood Academy, Marland Hill Community Primary, Parkfield Primary, Redwood Secondary School, Rochdale Young Carers, Shawclough Primary, St. Patricks Primary and Whittaker Moss Primary attended with teachers and school staff. It was lovely to see so many happy, smiling faces! Parents/carers were also invited to attend this year.
If you’re a member of school staff or a local activity provider or community group and would like to have a chat about how you can get involved with Children’s University, we’d love to hear from you via Rochdale Children’s University: RochdaleCU@altusep.com