EDUCATION

Tim Owston

1968-1973

Norton School, Norton,

Malton, East Yorkshire

(Now in North Yorkshire).

First opened in 1963, the School in 1968 was a secondary school, a state school for people who had not passed their 'Eleven Plus' selection exam.   During the 1970's the School became a Comprehensive School when the selection exam was no longer used.  1994 saw the first post sixteen students enter the school. In 1996 the School became the first school in North Yorkshire to obtain Technology College Status and it is now known as Norton College.

In more than four decades since it opened the school has changed considerably, with many positive developments in the facilities and attitudes to education in the school.

1976-1983

History, Literature and general Social Science based degree from The Open University, BA(Hons) 2:2 (LowerSecond).

The Open University is a University of the United Kingdom which is mainly without campus facilities and uses the resources of education suppliers throughout the country by arrangement.  Students received educational units through the post from the University, attend Summer Schools and various tutorials and special day schools.  Assessment is through tutor marked assignments, computer marked assignments and an exam at the end of the year, October or November.  That was the degree structure when I joined the Open University.

In 1976 I joined the Open University on a special scheme for 18 year old students, as the usual age for joining was 21.  I took one course a year for 8 years, attending summer schools in York and Stirling Universities.  The degree structure has now changed and the same degree can be earned in six courses.

1990-1991

IT based conversion Masters degree from Lancashire Polytechnic (University of Central Lancashire), MSc[TECH]IT.

In 1990 I left York University where I had been working as a library assistant in York Minster Library and went to live in Penwortham, Preston for a year.  My useful placement was with a software house in Feniscowles, near Blackburn. 

1996-1997

Adult teaching qualification from The University of Huddersfield,  through study at York College of Further and Higher Education., PGCE(FE)

I had already passed my CG7306 in 1995 (4th level NVQ). the adult trainer's qualification through York College and managed to get enough teaching work in 1996-1997 to enable me to take the higher qualification.  At the time I was working for an employer in the evenings which enabled me to study during the day.  I attended a Summer School at Huddersfield University in the summer of 1997.  The course was in Units and was well designed.  Assessment was by unit, including the Summer School.