In 1973, Michael Shaw and fellow pioneer students made history by crossing the stage at The Open University’s first graduation ceremony at Alexandra Palace.
Fifty years since graduating, retired head teacher Michael shares how at 82 with an esteemed teaching career behind him, collecting his OU degree scroll is still one of his proudest moments.
“In those days, teaching wasn’t a degree subject, so when I heard that the OU was looking for volunteers to test materials for a ground-breaking BA in Education, I jumped at the chance to get involved,” says Michael. “I took part in the trial and was fortunate enough to carry on and study for the degree I’d always wanted. 50 years on, it’s my proudest academic achievement.”
Blazing a trail
Distance learning was a new concept for higher education in the early 1970s and Michael loved the innovation.
“We were examining contemporary ideas about how children should be taught and how a curriculum might work. It was at the cutting edge of educational theory, and much is still relevant today,” he says.
“I liked the flexibility of the course. I could fit my studies around a full-time teaching job. I remember the teaching materials being delivered in the post and watching OU programmes on TV. I even wrote one of my assignments in the middle of a power cut, by candle-light,” Michael recalls.
More than an academic qualification
The OU experience went further than study for Michael. He fondly remembers the people he met who were taking the same course, from all walks of life.
“I met people I just wouldn’t have met in my day-to-day life, all ages, all backgrounds, and we supported each other. People might think that you’re on your own studying at the OU, but it’s not like that. The tutors were also there to support us.”
Though studying and bringing up a family wasn’t always easy, Michael was able to achieve his degree by taking advantage of all the support that’s on offer.
“I would say to anyone who is studying now and finding it difficult to juggle everything, just make the most of the flexibility and support on offer. For me, one of the OU’s greatest strengths was that we were treated like adults. We weren’t patronised and were always encouraged. Stick with it, you’ll be glad when you come to graduate. It was one of the best things I did in my professional life.”
A foundation for success
Michael speaks of how his OU degree helped him throughout his career.
“My OU degree gave me the confidence I was lacking. The BA was invaluable when I became a head teacher and latterly, an Ofsted inspector. It enabled me to progress my career and beyond. Now that I’m retired, I hear school appeals, I sit on adoption and fostering boards and I worked as a magistrate for several years.”
Overcoming challenges
It wasn’t always plain sailing for Michael. His sixth form years didn’t go according to plan, and he always craved the opportunity to realise his academic potential.
“People from my grammar school went on to Oxford and Cambridge, the Civil Service or joined the Armed Forces but that wasn’t an option for me. Until I discovered the OU, I had this feeling of having let myself down academically.”
That special moment
After all his hard work, Michael remembers how it felt to be a part of the OU’s first ever degree ceremony, which was such a momentous occasion, it was broadcast live on BBC2.
Michael crossing the stage in 1973.
“My grammar school was near Alexandra Palace, so I’d look at it out of the window when I should have been concentrating on my physics lesson! I’d never been inside the building until the ceremony. When I walked through the doors, it was awe inspiring. My wife came with me, and we both felt very proud of what I’d achieved.”
Michael went on to say, “I’m also proud of the OU. It’s an incredible organisation, which to this day gives people opportunities they would otherwise never have had.”
Help us celebrate
Join Michael and his fellow pioneer students in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the OU’s first graduation ceremony across our social media channels.
