Bexley Tigers Basketball Club is proud to announce that we are now an official Learning Destination with the Children’s University. This new partnership means that children attending our sessions can now earn credits and collect stamps in their Children’s University Passport to Learning, helping them gain recognition for learning beyond the classroom.
This exciting step reinforces our ongoing commitment to youth development, lifelong learning, and supporting children both on and off the basketball court.
What Is the Children’s University?
The Children’s University is a national charity that works with schools to encourage children to take part in extra-curricular activities, helping them to develop a love of learning that extends far beyond school hours. The organisation’s aim is simple yet powerful: to close the attainment gap by giving every child, regardless of their background, access to a wide range of enriching learning experiences.
By the time a child turns 18, just 9% of their waking life will have been spent in a classroom. The Children’s University focuses on the other 91%, recognising that learning doesn’t just happen behind a desk—it happens in sports halls, music rooms, libraries, youth clubs, and, now, on the basketball courts with Bexley Tigers.
Children who take part in Children’s University activities are shown to have:
- Improved attainment in reading and maths
- Greater confidence and motivation
- A stronger connection to their school and community
- Broader career aspirations and life skills
The programme aligns closely with the Ofsted framework on personal development and character education, as well as the government’s guidance on good character education benchmarks.
What This Means for Bexley Tigers Players
As a registered Learning Destination, all Bexley Tigers sessions—whether part of our Community hubs, after-school basketball, or Tigers in the Community initiatives—now count towards the Children’s University Passport to Learning.
Children who are part of the Children’s University can bring their passports to our sessions, and we will issue stamps for their participation. Each stamp contributes to a national record of their extra-curricular learning and helps them work towards recognised certificates and graduations, which are celebrated with ceremonies and awards that reinforce their commitment to personal growth.
This not only gives children a tangible sense of achievement but also encourages ongoing participation and builds the habit of lifelong learning.
A Natural Fit with Bexley Tigers’ Values
At Bexley Tigers, our work has always extended beyond the game. While we’re passionate about developing players and promoting basketball across the London Borough of Bexley, we are equally committed to education, character development, and opportunity creation.
Our programmes don’t just teach basketball—they teach teamwork, discipline, resilience, leadership, and communication. These are the same essential life skills celebrated by the Skills Builder Framework, to which all Children’s University activities are linked.
Becoming a Learning Destination is a natural progression for us. It enables us to formally recognise the learning that already happens in our programmes while encouraging even more children to get involved, explore their potential, and develop valuable life skills along the way.
Empowering the Next Generation
By partnering with Children’s University, we are helping to:
- Celebrate the power of extra-curricular learning
- Raise aspirations among young people
- Support schools in meeting Ofsted and DfE character education objectives
- Ensure that all children—regardless of their background—have access to opportunities that build confidence and resilience
We believe that every young person deserves the chance to learn, grow, and be recognised, and we’re excited to be part of a national effort that aligns so closely with our mission at Bexley Tigers.
Thank You to Our Partners and Schools
We extend our thanks to the Children’s University team, our partner schools, and all of the families who continue to support our work. We look forward to issuing many stamps in the months to come—and seeing our young players celebrated for their commitment to learning, sport, and personal growth.
If you are a parent, teacher, or student interested in learning more about the Children’s University and how Bexley Tigers can support your school’s enrichment offer, get in touch with us at school@bexleytigers.co.uk.
Let’s make every moment of learning count.
