Looking back at the most successful education stories in Bracknell

Several of the names mentioned achieved their respected grades, degrees and certificates years after beginning their original course, which could give anyone out there hope if they are stuck at a crossroads, whether they are considering a career change, if they want a new challenge or if they fancy a different hobby.

Husband and wife David & Jenny Shield got their Open University degrees in 1993

Looking back 28 years ago, one of the stand out stories would have been Gary Osborne, who was so keen to pass his degree that he even studied on his honeymoon.

The electrician technician from Garswood, Crown Wood, Bracknell, admitted that it was the only way he could fit all his studying hours to achieve his qualifications.

Valerie Reay got a BA in maths and technology after taking it up as a 'hobby'

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Speaking back in 1993, he revealed that he studied between ‘32 and 35 hours a week’ and that his wife was ‘very understanding’ with studying on their honeymoon.

Iris Lacy was a school teacher and taught across Berkshire

The hard work paid off for Gary Osborne, as he managed to achieve a BA in computers and electronics.

Another success story from the early 90s was Iris Lacey.

The 62-year-old, who originally started her degree way back in 1974, finally achieved her qualifications 19 years later.

Iris, of Nightingale Crescent, Harmans Water, decided to start an Open University course to help her work as a teacher.

Gary Osborne studied whilst on his honeymoon

However, after several years, she started an education course to work towards her teaching diploma and eventually put the OU plans on the shelf.

Twelve years later in 1986, Iris decided to take up the course again eventually finish her qualifications.

She said back in 1993: “I originally started the course because of my teaching.

Ian Pepper said that his OU course helped him change his career from an Air Force engineer to a manager at a computer firm

“I built up three credits when I originally started the course and decided a few years ago to finish the degree.”

Iris, who achieved a BA in Social Science, worked as a teacher in Ascot, Easthampstead, and Bracknell.

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Les Hubbard, who was 65-years-old in 1993, was also another successful graduate of the Open University, as he achieved his qualifications nearly five decades after leaving the classroom.

Mr Hubbard, of Greenhamwood, Birch Hall, left school at the age of 14 but started a degree BA in History in 1987.

He opted to start the course as a 'challenge'.

Les Hubbard left school at the age of 14 but returned to the classroom in his twilight years to achieve some qualifications

Speaking back in 1993, he said: “I took an early retirement several years ago and got a part-time job, but I soon found that it was not stretching me.

“I decided to take the degree as a challenge.”

One of the most extraordinary stories of sheer commitment and dedication belongs to Tony Skuse – a qualified pilot who in between flights whilst suffering from jet leg in various hotels across the world, put pen to paper on studying animal physiology, biology and oceanology.

Margaret Harnett of Wokingham got an arts and music degree in 1993 - 50 years after sitting her last set of exams

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Tony, of Croft Road, Wokingham, achieved his Open University degree in 1993, well over 10 years after starting his studies in the three subjects back in 1981.

The father-of-three decided to sign up for the courses as the topics had been an interest of his since his school days.

Tony Skuse, a pilot for the BA, achieved qualifications in animal physiology, biology and oceanology

He said: “I would have liked to do something like that for a job, but I did not think it would pay very well so I went on to be a pilot.

“I tied to do most of my study in hotel rooms but I was always jet lagged.”