UK launch for Open University scheme

Mar 9 2008 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

A SUCCESSFUL scheme pioneered in the North allowing students to earn as they learn is being rolled out across the country.

The groundbreaking project allows students to work during the day as classroom and IT assistants or laboratory technicians earning up to £9000 a year. At night they study at home for Open University degrees, which take up to five years to complete.

They are then able to enter the working world debt-free.

The scheme was launched four years ago at Monkseaton High School in North Tyneside where headteacher Paul Kelley is delighted at its success.

Now schools up and down the country have been encouraged to follow his lead.

Mr Kelley said: “Obviously I feel very pleased that we have started a pilot that is a success, and now we discover the Open University thinks so too.

“From my point of view the students make excellent workers and they are learning through working.”

Seven students are currently on the scheme working 20 to 25 hours a week.

The Open University degree system has no tutors or set lectures, so undergraduates work from home and contact course bosses via email or by telephone if they have problems.

The Monkseaton High School students can also enlist the help of teaching staff if needed. Andrew Johnson, 21, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, is now in the fourth year of his honours degree in computing.

He said: “I did my GCSEs here at Monkseaton High and was about to start A levels when the project started. It’s been great.

“I still live at home with my parents but I’m debt-free and I’ve been able to buy my own car. There’s no way that would be the case if I had gone to university.

“I work in IT as an assistant network manager which means I give user support by helping kids if they get stuck and I also work on the server.”