The Open University in London
Widening Participation is a defining characteristic of the Open University, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009. Flexible, modular open learning means learners access study opportunities as it suits them.
We have been in the top three for overall student satisfaction in the UK in the last five years. We are in the top five universities for teaching quality.
The Open University in London has 23,000 students; 92 staff based at our centre in Camden Town; and 924 home-based Associate Lecturers. In 2008/9, 7,200 face-to-face group teaching sessions and 642 day schools took place in 24 venues.
Capital L, Routes into Languages
Through this London consortium we provide tasters to secondary school pupils and are developing an e-mentoring project. We have provided professional development in online asynchronous teaching. Contact:
E h.peters@open.ac.uk or
Community outreach to parents and carers through schools
Working with primary and secondary schools in six boroughs, we provide learning opportunities to parents in the most disadvantaged communities. This supports raising of aspirations for whole families, complementing the work of Aimhigher. Contact:
Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
Our flexible PGCE places trainee teachers in secondary schools (Design and Technology, Geography, Mathematics; Modern Foreign Languages, Music and Science). There are six start dates and three levels of entry depending on previous knowledge and experience, with an assessment-only route for those with substantial teaching experience. (Ofsted grade 1 and TDA grade A). Contact:
W www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/education/pgce/index.htm
Professional development for school staff
Our flexible model enables school staff to enhance their knowledge and skills through work-based learning combined with home study. Contact:
Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS)
Students in Years 12/13 take a first-year undergraduate module alongside A level study, adding breadth, making excellent preparation for University and providing evidence of self-motivation and independent learning. This can enhance chances of entry to more competitive Universities for a full degree programme. In London we work in partnership with 35 schools and more than 500 pupils studied with us over the last two years. Contact:
W www.open.ac.uk/yass/p5.shtml
Indirectly, we support work with schools through membership of:
Aimhigher London East Thames Gateway partnership
Aimhigher West, Central and North London Partnership
Contacting our academic departments
Staff from seven faculties are based in London providing links to central academic teams in Milton Keynes: Arts and Humanities; Education and Language Studies; Health and Social Care; Maths, Computing and Technology; Science; Open University Business School (including Law); Social Science.
General contact for work with London schools:
