Oxford's College of Further Education is offering free access to those eager to get back to work, 80 per cent of whom are women. Science tutor Gerry Lafferty said: "We have had everyone, from single mums living in Blackbird Leys to doctors' wives from Summertown." They have gone on to study marine biology, architecture, pharmacy, environmental science, engineering and cellular-molecular biology. Katherine MacAlister reports...

Ann Murphy, of Saunders Road, Oxford, is a shining example of what can be achieved if you put your mind to it.

"I had no qualifications and didn't want to work behind a till, but I had no idea where to start," mum of eight, Ann said.

Yet now the 43-year-old is just starting a three year radiology course at Cranfield University.

She left school at 14 after moving to Oxford from Ireland. "I hated it. School was such a culture shock," she remembered.

She met Padraic, married, and settled down to have a large family. But when her youngest was one she suddenly realised that he, too, would grow up quickly and she would be left twiddling her thumbs.

"I felt almost redundant and knew then I would have to get a job. My husband was out of work at the time so it was ideal. But I wasn't qualified for anything.

"That's when I saw the poster about the free courses. I went to the open day and it took me a while to summon up the courage to talk to anyone. But they soon took me under their wing.

"First I did an Introduction to Science course for a year and then took the access course which is the equivalent of biology, chemistry and physics A-Levels. "And then I was free to choose. I wanted to work with people in a caring profession without having to get too involved. I figured I had done enough of that. Radiology was ideal."

And her grant will pay for the children.

Ann is keen to urge other women in her situation to bite the bullet and go for it: "If the course hadn't been free and if the staff hadn't been so understanding there is no way I could have managed it. But if I did anyone can."

BRIGHT NEW HORIZON FOR SAILOR EMILY

Emily Peak did not go to school until this year, at the age of 21.

Instead, she spent her childhood sailing around the world with her parents.

Having taken the access course she has now been accepted by Reading University to read botany.

"We went on a flotilla holiday when I was nine years old and my parents loved it so much they sold the house, bought a boat and off we went," Emily explained.

"I thought it was really great at the time but it was very up and down. "It was very rare that we came across other boats with kids the same age."

For the next six years along with her mum, dad and brother, she sailed from Europe to Africa and South America.

Then her parents split up in Belize and she sailed on to America with her mother, where she lived for the next five years.

"I just drifted, really. I didn't know what I wanted to do and I couldn't afford education there, so I just did odd jobs."

But when she came to visit her father in Hendred Street, Oxford, last year he told her about the access course and she enrolled immediately and moved into his house.

On reflection, she said: "I would not change my life. People say it's weird and ask what it was like growing up on a boat.

"But it all seemed so normal at the time and I ask what it was like growing up in a house.

"While everyone else was at school I was exploring the world and I still got into university after one year of study. So no, I'm not bitter."

I ONLY WISH I'D DONE IT SOONER

"I always wanted to do something medical, even when I was a child. But life doesn't always turn out the way you want," Jane Fisher explained.

Thanks to the access course and a lot of hard work she is spending the next three years learning midwifery.

Having left school at 17 she drifted into financial services, took the relevant exams and, before she knew it, was climbing the management ladder.

Jane said: "I soon realised it wasn't about money and had what I call my mid-life non-crisis. Deep down I was not happy. We haven't had children. It just never happened for us. I started wishing I had done this or that, and thought I was too old and had left it too late.

"Then I watched a TV programme about a man who gave up his job as a publican to became a nurse and thought - if he can do it, so can I."

The 38-year-old decided to become a midwife because of her early fascination with biology.

She explained: "For me it's not about children but the perpetuation of mankind.

"I want to be there to help other women but also to get something back for myself. I just think birth is an amazing thing." And after making a few enquiries she found out about the access course offered by the college.

"The course was fantastic, the staff brilliant. It's hard work but for the first time I was learning for me," she said.

Financially Jane and her husband Simon have found it harder without her salary but they have taken in a foreign student and are making do.

As for the future Jane said: "I'm so excited I can't tell you. I just wish I'd done it sooner.

WHO TO CALL

Access Courses include Science, Humanities, IT, Teaching and Social Work and run from September until June.

For further information telephone 01865 245871.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.