At 85, fifty years after making history by crossing the stage at The Open University’s (OU) first degree ceremony, pioneer student Alan returned to the OU to help 2023 graduates celebrate their success in Manchester’s stunning Bridgewater Hall.
Alan shares how OU study boosted his teaching career, improved his confidence and helped him to find his voice.
New opportunities
After completing National Service, Alan started his working life in a telecom office for Royal Mail until he decided to take another path.
“It wasn’t until my wife’s colleague told her she was training to be a teacher as a mature student, that I considered a new career.”
With a £700 grant from the council, Alan embarked on a three-year teacher training course at his local college.
“I had a mortgage, and our daughter Jane was only a year old, so I needed to work overtime five nights a week just to get by. I worked for a brewery for a while and did a stint at a security firm delivering bags of money across Manchester,” Alan recounts. “It was worth all the hard work though, I felt teaching was something I was good at.”
A degree made possible
After starting his first teaching role, Alan was keen to learn more, so he set his sights on a degree to help him progress.
“I had the opportunity to study at Didsbury College of Education near me, but I couldn’t afford it,” Alan explains. “When I heard about this new concept of distance learning and the OU, I thought it would be manageable for me. When I looked in more detail, I found out that I could start the Foundation in Education with credits because I was already a teacher.”
Alan remembers what life was like for him and his family during his studies throughout the 1970’s.
“I basically worked in school all day, came home for tea and then went upstairs to start working again. Jane thought that’s what all daddies did!”
Alan goes on to say, “I loved the learning, even though it was difficult to fit it in. The quality of the resources was fantastic. Jane still remembers the picture of Beethoven on the LP I received for the music module.”
Career and personal development
After completing an honours degree, Alan was promoted several times until he reached the position of Deputy Head, something he says was made possible thanks to the OU.
“My OU qualification undoubtedly helped me secure the deputy headship, because the panel were so impressed by what I’d achieved whilst working full time as a teacher. I think that’s something employers would value to this day.”
Alan reflects on the personal development he experienced during his time with the OU.
“I realised that I was good at writing and expressing my own opinion. I found my voice and a confidence in my own abilities that I never had before,” he says. “I also loved that at the summer schools, I was mixing with people from all walks of life. I learned so much.”
Celebrating success
The OU’s first-ever degree ceremony was such a momentous occasion that it was broadcast live on BBC2. Alan, who had never been to London before, set off to Alexandra Palace with his late wife and 8-year-old daughter Jane.
Alan and Jane 50 years ago at Alexandra Palace
“It was quite the experience,” says Alan. “I felt amazing being in a huge crowd of people who were all celebrating like I was.”
Alan and his family had a bit more adventure than they planned for that day.
“We were staying in a hotel in Half Moon Street and didn’t really know our way around the underground system. After the ceremony, all dressed up in our Sunday best, we got on the wrong tube and ended up looking quite out of place among crowds of commuters!”
Fast-forward to September 2023 and Alan, accompanied by his now grown-up daughter Jane, were very special guests at the OU’s Manchester graduation ceremony.
“We were delighted to be a part of this wonderful occasion, 50 years after my own graduation and being able to share it once again with Jane. I’ll always remember my time with the OU and will be forever thankful for what it gave me.”
