University of the First Age ( UFA )

Click here to download one of our Summer Challenge reports.

The UFA is a national educational charity, that works in partnership to develop the confidence, achievement and potential of young people through extended learning opportunities. Cornwall has been a partner in the national UFA network for approximately 5 years & has roughly 40 organisations that form part of the local UFA network. Partners of the local network include Primary & Secondary Schools, Museums, Playing for Success Centres & Outdoor Education Centres.

A fundamental part of the local network has been the provision of high quality training to its members. The hall mark of UFA training including: learner difference, learning environment, brain friendly learning & thinking skills!

Further to the high quality training a key part of the development of the UFA in Cornwall has been the delivery of Peer Tutor training. Dr Alan Jones has supported this area of work with innovations such as the STAR Training programme, focusing upon emotional intelligence.

 

UFA key principles are integrated into the ethos of all programmes planned and delivered at the Learning Space. These include:

Immersion of the learner in complex learning experiences

• Rich multi-sensory input

• Interactive

• Open ended

• Real life scenarios

 

Active processing of all learning

• Time to think

• Time to reflect

• Time to make meaning in a variety of ways

Relaxed alertness – optimal state of mind

• Intrinsic motivation

• Positive language

• Use of music

• Belief in potential of self and others