A TEESSIDE council is leading the way when it comes to getting students to learn outside school hours.

Redcar and Cleveland Council is the first council in the Tees Valley and only the second in the North to successfully bid to become a partner with the national Children's University.

The new Government-backed organisation has been set up to validate and recognise children's learning beyond the school day.

All the Borough's schools, the Council's Museums Service and leisure organisations, including sports clubs, who already provide extended day, holiday and weekend activities for young people will be invited to become Children's University partners.

Young people can apply for attendance certificates - bronze for 30 hours, silver for 65 hours and gold for 100 hours, with the Gold award to be presented at a 'graduation' ceremony, complete with caps and gowns.

Activities can cover a range of opportunities from fishing to fashion, cookery or cheerleading, surfing and sudoku, photography and physics - the main criteria is that fun, practical and engaging learning takes place.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education Councillor Ian Jeffrey said: "Our schools already offer unique learning opportunities through a whole range of innovative and exciting extended day provision.

"By linking these activities under the Childrens University banner we hope to reward participation, raise aspirations and encourage real engagement with learning in a whole range of fun and exciting environments and activities."

For more information, contact the Children's University Manager Eileen Wilkinson on 01642-444382.