THE Newcastle United Learning Centre will play host to one of its most exciting ventures this summer when the first ever Children's University comes to St. James' Park.

For Newcastle United, in conjunction with Newcastle Education Directorate, the University of the First Age (UFA) and the DFES, are delighted to launch, from Monday 22 - Friday 26 July, a Children's University which will take place within the Learning Centre and the adjacent Platinum Club inside St. James' Park.

The University will involve 210 children from Newcastle Schools (who have already been earmarked) and 40 staff. The aim is effectively to turn the children into 'super learners'.

The UFA was founded in 1996 and works in partnership with schools and communities to extend learning beyond the school day. It uses innovative brain based approaches to learning to boost learning potential and raise achievement.

Phil McBride, Learning Centre manager at Newcastle United said: The is a massive project for us but at the same time, wonderfully exciting. We are stepping out beyond our normal parameters for this week and we are very confident, along with our partners, that it will prove to be a huge success with Newcastle United proving to be the catalyst for the children to raise their achievement levels."

And Maggie Farrar, the National Director of the Birmingham based UFA added: "I am delighted that Newcastle United and the Newcastle Education Directorate are hosting this exciting development. It is the first of three summer schools and I am really looking forward to seeing the children at work in the famous St. James' Park."