Advertisement Feature - Challenging

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Sept 23, 2003

Wendy Denham and her father Tony Pilkington, of Fenham, are just one example of a family studying together with The Open University.

Wendy, 34, took the Openings course Living Arts while Tony, 62, took the online short course Start Writing Family History. Now they will both work towards a BA Hons in Literature.

Wendy, who sings, dances, and acts on television and in the theatre, said: "Mum suggested we both try The Open University because I could study in quiet times between work and dad is now retired.

"I found Openings a good way back to study after 10 years and thoroughly enjoyed my course. There was lots of support with the tutor just at the end of the phone and the OU itself always available.

"It helped that both dad and I were able to get help with the costs from the OU because of my low wages and dad's bad back which meant he had to take early retirement."

Tony, who is a retired nurse, studied at polytechnics and universities on various short-term courses throughout his nursing career but never thought he'd be able to take a degree.

"They did make me want to do more though," he said. "I had always wanted to stay at school and go on to medical training or science but it wasn't possible then. But now I want to do something I have never done before and as I have always been an avid reader Literature should be an interesting choice."

Tony had one problem when he realised the family history course was taught online.

"My wife had to teach me to use a computer and it was a real challenge but both Wendy and I enjoyed our studies. I realised I had done quite well when I spoke to regional staff at an open event at Newcastle United and now we are both set to go on together."