YOUNG students are preparing to start their first term at the region's first children's university when it is opened on Saturday by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Irene Waudby.

The university will be a free Saturday morning school for children aged seven to 11 from Tang Hall Primary School in York, and is believed to be the first scheme of its kind in the country to be run by an individual school.

The aim is to generate enthusiasm for learning and self confidence among the students which will benefit them in all areas of their lives.

Since the plans were first revealed in the Evening Press earlier this year, a co-ordinator, Gillian Kennedy, has been taken on, as well as two "lecturers", a support assistant, 12 commissioned artists, specialising in everything from the didgeridoo to circus skills, sports students from the College of Ripon and York St John, and language assistants from Spain and Japan.

The university will also host a paid-for advanced maths course, which is open to Year Six pupils from across the York region who are exceptionally good at maths, and which will start the following Saturday. This could see some 11-year-olds attempting GCSE maths next summer.

Paul Prest, head teacher at Tang Hall Primary School, said 64 students were due to start at the main university on Saturday, and ten on the maths course the week after.

"After a year of hard work, the children are enthused by it, the parents are enthusiastic about it and, hopefully, it will be the start of bigger things to come," he said.

"We hope it can be expanded across York so all children can access the children's university."

Coun Janet Looker, executive member for education on the City of York Council, said: "I think this is a very exciting initiative and it certainly fits in with a lot of ideas for extending children's participation in education. It is an excellent place to start it.

"We haven't got a detailed or formal plan to progress it - we would need to look at what funds are available. We want to see what sort of experience they have with it."

Funding so far for the university has come from a variety of sources including £5,000 from the Walmgate Ward Committee and £2,500 from the Heworth Ward Committee, as well as £1,000 from Norwich Union and £750 from school caterers Dolce.

The school is still waiting to hear the result of its bid for £11,000 from the Lottery's New Opportunities Fund.

To make a donation, contact Mr Prest on 01904 424765.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, September 25, 2001