Six Sixth Formers at Friends’ School have successfully completed short courses with the Open University. Pupils participated in the Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) which encourages Sixth Formers to study at undergraduate level alongside their school work. The pupils took up the courses to enhance their university applications and deepen their knowledge of the areas they want to study at university. Alex Pengelly, who wishes to take Art at degree level, chose the course ‘Perspectives on Leonardo da Vinci’ whilst Steven Allen, Laura Burns, Stephanie Murdock, Alasdair Trimble and Sarah Trimble all chose a science course: ‘Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story’. Steven and Sarah intend to study Pharmacy at university whilst Laura, Stephanie and Alasdair are planning to study Medicine. Steven noted that the flexibility of the Open University allowed him to complete his course at a pace tailored to fit around his extra-curricular activities. Stephanie commented: “The course has improved my ability to learn independently. It has also strengthened my university application and has been useful to talk about in my university interviews”. Elizabeth Dickson, the Principal of Friends’ School, said: “At Friends’ we are keen that our pupils should be intellectually curious and increasingly independent in their learning. By successfully managing a degree level module alongside their A level studies, as well as their active involvement in extra curricular activities in School, these pupils have shown a high level of organisation, commitment and motivation. They deserve great credit for their achievement.”
