News

Government Chief Whip hears about Foundation Programme

(14 January 2005)

The Government Chief Whip and MP for North West Durham, Hilary Armstrong, fulfilled a special request to learn more about the University of Durham’s Foundation Programme when she joined staff and students at a presentation in Old Shire Hall.

Catherine Hyde Wesson, Course Director for the Foundation Programme, gave a presentation about the one-year course which is available at Queen’s Campus, Stockton.

Foundation Programme students and recent graduates displayed and demonstrated a range of typical learning activities as the MP and visiting youngsters and teachers from Framwellgate School in Durham were quickly involved.

Ian Davison, currently a postgraduate student, recently graduated with a first class honours degree in Applied Psychology, encouraged the visitors to take part in a Stroop test. Jay Walker, currently in his second year of a medical degree took the blood pressure of volunteers.

Carol Bowler, a recent Human Sciences graduate sketched cartoons of her experience as a student. Jane Healy(first year Primary Teaching) and Darragh English (first year Geology) encouraged the schoolchildren to look through microscopes to identify mystery slides.

The Foundation Programme attracts students from across the world. Hilary Armstrong met two current International students on the Foundation Programme, Amenda Ho from Hong Kong and Enrique Alarcon Mendez from Mexico.

Other Foundation Programme students past and present included James Glover and Mark Moran, currently studying on the Foundation Programme; Carl Arnold in his second year of a Sport Health and Exercise degree, Paula Cross in her second year of a Human Science degree.

Recent graduates present included David Gander, currently studying for an MA in Social work and Paul McPhail, a Human Sciences graduate explained the work of the Sleep lab at Queen’s Campus. Paul has undertaken research in the sleep lab and works with Steve Leech, a postgraduate student who also entered the University via the Foundation Programme.

Notes to editors :

The University of Durham is actively engaged in attracting the brightest and best students to consider the wide range of learning opportunities available to them on their doorstep.

As part of the University's widening participation initiatives, the Foundation Programme was introduced at Queen's Campus in Stockton six years ago to provide a progression route into higher education for people with potential who lack formal qualifications or have spent some time outside the traditional learning system.

Among the many success stories is Jackie Kent, a mature student from Sedgefield, who picked up three academic achievement awards from the University for her outstanding personal and academic performance since undertaking the Foundation Programme. Jackie returned to learning as she wanted to undertake a new challenge and pursue her personal development. After completing the Foundation Programme Jackie progressed onto a degree in Environmental Development and graduated with first class honours in summer 2003.

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, Public Relations Office, University of Durham Tel : 0191 334 6078 e-mail : t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk