Distance learning was a new concept for higher education in the early 1970s and Michael loved the innovation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Michael recalls.<\/p>\n
More than an academic qualification<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI met people I just wouldn\u2019t have met in my day-to-day life, all ages, all backgrounds, and we supported each other. People might think that you\u2019re on your own studying at the OU, but it\u2019s not like that. The tutors were also there to support us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though studying and bringing up a family wasn\u2019t always easy, Michael was able to achieve his degree by taking advantage of all the support that\u2019s on offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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\u2019s greatest strengths was that we were treated like adults. We weren\u2019t patronised and were always encouraged. Stick with it, you\u2019ll be glad when you come to graduate. It was one of the best things I did in my professional life.\u201d<\/p>\n
A foundation for success<\/strong><\/h2>\nMichael speaks of how his OU degree helped him throughout his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 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\u2019m retired, I hear school appeals, I sit on adoption and fostering boards and I worked as a magistrate for several years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overcoming challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt wasn\u2019t always plain sailing for Michael. His sixth form years didn\u2019t go according to plan, and he always craved the opportunity to realise his academic potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople from my grammar school went on to Oxford and Cambridge, the Civil Service or joined the Armed Forces but that wasn\u2019t an option for me. Until I discovered the OU, I had this feeling of having let myself down academically.\u201d<\/p>\n
That special moment<\/strong><\/h2>\nAfter all his hard work, Michael remembers how it felt to be a part of the OU\u2019s first ever degree ceremony, which was such a momentous occasion, it was broadcast live on BBC2<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Archive](\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Archive-image-300x212.jpg\")
Michael crossing the stage in 1973.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cMy grammar school was near Alexandra Palace, so I\u2019d look at it out of the window when I should have been concentrating on my physics lesson! I\u2019d 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\u2019d achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael went on to say, \u201cI\u2019m also proud of the OU. It\u2019s an incredible organisation, which to this day gives people opportunities they would otherwise never have had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Help us celebrate <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Michael speaks of how his OU degree helped him throughout his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy 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\u2019m retired, I hear school appeals, I sit on adoption and fostering boards and I worked as a magistrate for several years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overcoming challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\nIt wasn\u2019t always plain sailing for Michael. His sixth form years didn\u2019t go according to plan, and he always craved the opportunity to realise his academic potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople from my grammar school went on to Oxford and Cambridge, the Civil Service or joined the Armed Forces but that wasn\u2019t an option for me. Until I discovered the OU, I had this feeling of having let myself down academically.\u201d<\/p>\n
That special moment<\/strong><\/h2>\nAfter all his hard work, Michael remembers how it felt to be a part of the OU\u2019s first ever degree ceremony, which was such a momentous occasion, it was broadcast live on BBC2<\/a>.<\/p>\nMichael crossing the stage in 1973.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cMy grammar school was near Alexandra Palace, so I\u2019d look at it out of the window when I should have been concentrating on my physics lesson! I\u2019d 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\u2019d achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael went on to say, \u201cI\u2019m also proud of the OU. It\u2019s an incredible organisation, which to this day gives people opportunities they would otherwise never have had.\u201d<\/p>\n
Help us celebrate <\/strong><\/h2>\n
After all his hard work, Michael remembers how it felt to be a part of the OU\u2019s first ever degree ceremony, which was such a momentous occasion, it was broadcast live on BBC2<\/a>.<\/p>\n Michael crossing the stage in 1973.<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cMy grammar school was near Alexandra Palace, so I\u2019d look at it out of the window when I should have been concentrating on my physics lesson! I\u2019d 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\u2019d achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael went on to say, \u201cI\u2019m also proud of the OU. It\u2019s an incredible organisation, which to this day gives people opportunities they would otherwise never have had.\u201d<\/p>\nHelp us celebrate <\/strong><\/h2>\n