WHEN Robert Page left school at 14, Adolf Hitler was a fledging Chancellor of Germany, the Spanish Civil War had begun and Fred Perry had become the first British man to win Wimbledon in 25 years.
But 70 years after leaving Hendon Board School, the octogenarian dad-of-two now boasts a degree in fine art from Sunderland University.
The former Merchant Navy seaman and Vane Tempest pit deputy said: “There was no chance of an education in my days. Ever since I was a child, I was supposed to be quite good at a school, but I never went any further than that.
“I was asked if I wanted to go to the art school at Backhouse Park, but I couldn’t afford it so I didn’t go.
“My father was working in the 1930s, but didn’t earn much, so anything brought in extra helped. I had five sisters and the expectation was that I would work.
“I was always sketching and doing things. I enrolled in the College of the Sea in the Merchant Navy to do art, but it was impossible to do a correspondence of any sorts, plus there were no brushes or paints to be had anywhere.
“It all happened for me 13 years ago. My wife had died and I was at a loss over what to do. I did a night class at Peterlee Further Education College and after a couple of years got an A-level
“Even though I only got a D, my lecturer wrote to Sunderland University and told them they should consider me for a degree.
“She must have thought I thought I had something. I couldn’t do it because it was full-time, so I did a part-time course at Durham and transferred later.
“It was a great thrill to go to university. I always had the idea I would like to go to college, but I never got the chance. It was a real experience, absolutely great.
“I think everybody should take advantage. It’s an opportunity we never had when were young.”
Now 84, Mr Page, of Leechmere Crescent, Seaham, who graduated with a 2:2 three years ago is still painting.
His two grandsons have since graduated from Newcastle University.
He said: “Age isn’t a barrier. As a person, I met all kinds of different people, with a whole range of ideas, which opens your mind.
“I had a narrow life, working down a hole in the ground for half of it, so going to university was a great experience. You might only get that one experience, and although it was a bit later in life for me, I got it.”
SOUTHMOOR Community School pupil Corinne Wood is 16.
The Year 11 pupil, of Cheviot Street, Pallion, hopes to study law at university. She lives with her grandparents, Doreen, 54, and Anthony, 59.
“It’s something I have wanted to do since Year 7, because it is so fascinating. My nana has always stressed how important it is to get a good job and this is something I have always thought about.
“I want a job I can enjoy and earn money, rather than take the first thing that came along, and going to university will give me that.
“My grandad was a joiner at Federal Mogul and he has always said to keep my options open, which is what I have done.
“I love the education aspect. I don’t think it would be as good, just leaving school and going into the world, without a degree. It sets you up for life. You learn more life skills, how to mix with people, than going out and straight to work.
“I want to stay close to home when I go to university, which is good because there are a lot of options here.
“Hopefully, I can go to Durham. That’s my dream. Not many people I know have made their minds up yet. It is quite hard, but I know what I am going to do and I am going to make the most out of it.”
Corinne plans to study history, English literature, computing and French at A-level and plans to sit scholarship exams for Durham High School for Girls in February.
She continued: “Not going shouldn’t be because of the area you live in and whether you have enough money or not.
“My family isn’t really well off, but that shouldn’t stop me. It shouldn’t be about what your financial background is.
“It’s nice to be able to get the same opportunities as others, although I might not have the same as others.”
Source: Johnston Press Digital Publishing.
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