Pupils from primary schools in St Neots took part in a ceremony to celebrate their graduation from the Children’s University (CU) last week.

The event, at St Mary’s Church in Eaton Socon, involved 65 pupils from eight schools, who were celebrating completion of a programme of out-of-school activities.

The Children’s University is a national and international organisation which encourages children to take part in various activities. The CU started in St Neots in 2013 and the first graduation involved 26 children. The St Neots campus has grown steadily since then and now involves eight primary schools, with 188 current members, and there are 42 outside organisations for pupils to take part in activities and have their passports stamped. The graduation on November 22 saw 29 children achieved the first Bronze award for 30 hours of participation in out of school activities, with the highest awards going to Charlotte Broadhurst, who gained a Silver Diploma for 265 hours, Emily Mitchell with a Bronze Diploma for 230 hours and Ruth Farmer and Trixie-Leigh Byatt who both gained a Gold Certificate for 200 hours.

The ceremony was opened with a performance by four-piece girl group The Rubies, from Stageworks and the keynote speaker was Sean Rose, St Neots campus chancellor, who gave a presentation on the importance of dreams and challenges to the graduates.