February Freebie Spotlight on...

Razzamataz Theatre Schools was launched in 2000 and achieved national recognition in 2007 after a memorable appearance on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, winning the investment from Duncan Bannatyne, who remains a committed partner supporting all new Razzamataz ventures.

Razzamataz Sheffield launched in September 2013 and has since grown from strength to strength. Helen and her team offer part-time performing arts training for children aged 2-18 in Sheffield so understand what children and their families are looking for on days out. Whether you want to find out about performing arts, sports activities, creative fun or educational events, as a local business in the area focusing on children, they know where to go for the best things to do year round for families who want to have fun.

Classes take place at Norton College for ages 4-18 are every Saturday during term time. Classes for ages 2-3 also take place every Thursday at Dobcroft Infant School during term line. You can also find Helen and her fantastic students regularly performing at our award ceremonies!

For more information, contact Helen on 0114 3030455.

Find them at February Freebie...

Love street dance, pop singing and fun drama games? Come along to Razzamataz Theatre Schools workshops!

Wednesday 26th February, Jordanthorpe Library, 2-3pm

Thursday 27th February, Central Children's Library, 2-3pm

Friday 28th February, Woodseats Library, 2-3pm

February Freebie Spotlight on...

A Mind Apart Theatre Company, based in our lovely city of Sheffield, is dedicated to presenting performance and theatrical opportunities that are an integral part of the participants learning experience.

Delivering a wide range of activitives including education programmes and out of hours clubs for schools, holiday clubs, drama and theatre classes and parties, A Mind Apart work towards teaching, inspiring, encouraging and motivating participants in all social and individual areas of life giving them positive life-long memories and experiences of performing arts and theatre.

Find them at February Freebie...

Head along to the children's party themed drama workshop! 

Wednesday 26th February, Gleadless Library, 2-4pm, ages 4 - 8

Thursday 27th February, Chapeltown Library, 2-3pm, ages 5 - 11

February Freebie Spotlight on...

Greentop is a hub for circus arts education in the North of England. With a circus school right here in Sheffield, Greentop provides a range of activities including professional training, school workshops, events entertainment, kids parties & team building.

Greentop’s vision is of: “A thriving circus arts sector in the North of England, where circus is an artform that touches everyone in the North, transforming lives and inspiring positive social and individual change”

Greentop leads the way in providing fun, accessible circus activities for children and young people. They have an incredible range of youth provision including regular classes during term times, general circus skills, trapeze and aerial, acrobatics or 'juggling and balancing.

Find them at February Freebie..

Have a go at a variety of circus skills including juggling, diabolo, flower sticks, plate spinning, poi and much more!

Monday 24th February, Ecclesall Library, 2-3pm

Tuesday 25th February, Totley Library, 2-3pm and Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, 1-5pm

Wednesday 26th February, Greenhill Library, 2-3pm

Friday 28th February, Woodseats Library, 2-3pm

February Freebie Spotlight on...

Darren and his team at Adventures Are Us have been providing adventurous packages to a whole range of groups since 1997. They always try to aim high to offer a fully inclusive adventure package that will encompass the full spirit of an adventure experience including activities such as high wires and climbing, to abseiling and caving.

Go Urban is a brand new concept from Adventures Are Us. It was launched last year and has developed significantly since then. Go Urban is a mobile high ropes adventure course bringing outdoor education and adventure activities direct into schools, parks and woodland areas benefiting the local communities.

Find them at February Freebie…

Come and test your skills on the 30 foot ladder climb challenge called ‘Ladder Extreme’ and why not battle across the slack-line balance challenge as well?

Tuesday 25th February 2014 – Norfolk Heritage Park (near main reception building), Guildford Avenue, S2 2PL, 10am – 4pm

Thursday 27th February 2014 – Meersbrook Park (next to new mini assault course), Chesterfield Road, S8 9FL, 10am – 4pm

No booking required.

February Freebie Spotlight on...

A Pyjama Drama class takes children on exciting adventures where their imagination has the starring role. They pretend, play drama games, sing songs, dance, role-play and have lots and lots of fun! Each session the children explore new, imaginary worlds; one week they might be visiting the king at the castle, the next digging for buried gold and the week after they could be jungle explorers!

Gemma manages the Sheffield South branch of Pyjama Drama and works with schools, nurseries, libraries, play centres and of course, Sheffield Children’s University!

Join Pyjama Drama at a number of libraries across Sheffield during our February Freebie week 2014.

Find them at February Freebie…
Pyjama Drama will be delivering sessions for 5-7 years olds (approx.) and booking is required. Sessions are as follows…

Monday 24th February

10.30am to 11.30am, Crystal Peaks Library, 1-3 Peak Square, Crystal Peaks Complex, Waterthorpe, Sheffield, S20 7PH. Tel: 0114 2930612 to book a place

2.00pm to 3.00pm, Walkley Library, South Road, Sheffield, S6 3TD. Tel: 0114 2312947 to book a place

2.00pm to 3.00pm, Upperthorpe Library, Zest, 18 Upperthorpe, Sheffield, S6 3NA. Tel: 0114 2702048 to book a place

Tuesday 25th February

10.30am to 11.30am, Hillsborough Library, Middlewood Road, Sheffield, S6 4HD. Tel: 0114 2039529

February Freebie Spotlight on...

Art in the Park provides brilliant, high quality arts activities in areas where there is little opportunity to engage. They aim to create a bespoke, long lasting and inspiring experience. Their mission is “to ignite imaginations by increasing access to high quality creative activities.”

They offer free events and workshops focusing on visual arts and creative writing (including poetry, storytelling, textiles, sculpture, film making, painting, drawing, craft) for all ages and backgrounds. Working in partnership with the community they aim to increase confidence and skill, reduce isolation, promote usage of local spaces and increase pride and ownership over public space. Every project they deliver they aim to leave a legacy through community celebrations, exhibitions, publications or temporary or permanent changes.

Find them at February Freebie…

Have a go at making your own mini mural with Art in the Park! Suitable for ages 5+, no need to book, just turn up!

Monday 24th February, 10.00am to 3.00pm, The Venue, Manchester Road, Stocksbridge, S36 1DY

Contact 0114 2686813 for more information.

February Freebie Spotlight on...

Wild Wood Activities

Led by Lauren Stevens, Wild Wood Activities aims to promote the world of Forest Schools to everyone! A firm believer in the key benefits to be just spending time in a woodland setting, Lauren delivers a whole range of activities in a variety of woodland settings across Sheffield, Derbyshire and also in Surrey.

In addition to projects for schools, nurseries and other settings, Lauren also delivers training to would-be Forest School leaders, enabling them to begin their woodland journeys and spreading the word even further.

Why not have a Wild Wood Activities Birthday Party?? Enjoy loads of exciting activities, games and making craft items before enjoying a snack cooked on your very own camp fire!

Find them at February Freebie…

Lauren is running a woodland adventures day on Monday 24th February at Roe Wood, S5. This activity is suitable for ages 7-12 years and booking is essential. 

Meet at the Sheaf Training Centre Car Park, Norwood Drive, Sheffield, S5 7BH and be ready to go for 10.00am. Your adventure day will end back at the car park at 3.00pm.

Contact 07735 389804 for more information and to book a place.

February Freebie Spotlight on...

Woodland Activities @ Wincobank Hill

The prehistoric Wincobank Hill Fort is a Scheduled Monument and is surrounded by ancient woodland of oak, beech and birch. From the top, you have a wonderful view overlooking the Lower Don Valley in Sheffield.

Nearby, runs the route of the Roman Ridge, an ancient earthwork. The history of this is still a mystery, but people used to think it was a Roman road. Some people now think this ridge which runs from Sheffield to Mexborough was created even before Roman times, possibly to mark ancient boundaries.

What a fantastic place to take part in Forest School-type activities, with all the wonderful history around you! The trees are some of the best for climbing in Sheffield, and your secret dens will surely never be found in this amazing environment.

Penny runs Forest School activities throughout the year, as part of the Upper Wincobank Chapel wider programme of activities for people of all ages, and Friends of Wincobank Hill are always looking for new members to join them in their activities to help preserve and celebrate the wonderful Wincobank Hill.

Find them at February Freebie…

Penny is running three activities as part of February Freebie 2014.

- A Family Woodland Day on Monday 24th February (bring along your family for some fun in the woods), 10.00am to 3.00pm

- Woodland Play Days on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th February (lots of fun to be had in the woods, including den building, craft and much more), 10.00am to 3.00pm

For all three activities, meet at Wincobank Chapel, Wincobank Avenue, Sheffield, S5 6BB.

Contact 07980 143776 to book a place.

February Freebie Spotlight on...

Concord All Stars & Junior Marching Band 

Concord ALL STARS is a part of Concord Drum & Bugle Corps – a unit that has been at the forefront of youth marching music since its formation in 1984. Concord AllStars is a marching musical ensemble for young people aged between 8 and 12 years. Its aims are to provide education in music, playing brass and percussion instruments and in public performance as a marching musical ensemble.

The ALL STARS play a combination of brass instruments (trumpets, tenor horns, euphoniums and tubas) plus snare and bass drums and cymbals.

There is also an auxiliary section for dancers who also use flags and other equipment.
Music and movement are taught by volunteer instructors with a wide range of experience in the marching music field.

In addition to the musical rewards gained through learning to play an instrument, there are many fringe benefits in the development of personal confidence and self-esteem. Making music also helps to improve numeracy, self-expression and decision-making in addition to learning to work co-operatively and for a common aim. These benefits are recognised by many in the academic world as offering a greater educational advantage to those involved in learning and performing music.

The ALL STARS rehearse every Saturday between 10.00am and 12.00noon at :

Croft House Settlement, Garden Street, Sheffield S1 4 BJ

The cost is just £2 per week and includes all instruction; loan of instruments, equipment and costumes.

Find them at February Freebie…

See and certainly hear the fantastic Concord All Stars and Junior Marching Band in action – have a go with the instruments yourself!

Saturday 22nd February and Saturday 1st March, 10.00am to 2.00pm, Croft House Settlement, Garden Street, Sheffield S1 4 BJ

Call 0114 2491460 for more details.

Planning your February half term activities?

Would you LOVE to take part in some exciting activities this February half term?

The Children's University Passport to Learning newsletter which includes details of activities happening across Sheffield during the February half term is now available! Click HERE to start planning now!

Don't forget, during February half term you can use your Passport to Learning to access over 30 FREE activities as part of our February Freebie 2014. We will be kicking February Freebie off with the very first Sheffield Day of Games, happening in the Winter Garden on Saturday 22nd February between 10am-4pm. 

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning to all the activities listed in the newsletter will be able to earn additional CU credits at these activities. There's also an up to date list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations.