Have to admit not being surprised as I was already aware of these facts. But the facts to make me feel proud to be part of the OU family. I'm dyslexic, without the OU I would never been able to prove that I was not lazy or a slow learner. A phrase most dyslectics will have heard said about them.

I was aware of the diversity of OU but when presented with the statistics to provided clarity of the actual scale of the size of the provision the variety of people who study through OU

Love the ethos of reaching more students with life-changing learning that will meet their needs and enrich society. Great sentence.

Totally agree with you here Nick in terms of the Open University is indeed 'open to anyone' and for me, that is just amazing. An inclusive environment for all and an opportunity given to those who perhaps may not have quite had that opportunity growing up. Excellent.

Anthony

Good to see the OU keeping to its wide appeal. So many younger students now!

I have been aware of the OU for a long time and my friend studied for her degree and subsequent MSc.  I knew how far reaching the OU is, but it is still eye opening to read of the high number of young, disabled and widening access students gaining access to education.  The statement which stood out to me, is that the OU is a disruptor - it hit me how true this is, as they really are open to all.  During Covid, when we were all scrabbling to adapt in bricks universities, the OU was already there leading the way.

I was surprised by the diversity and inclusion facts and how many disabled students enrolled to study with OU

Having studied with the OU many years before, I am aware of the diversity it offers. However, it was quite surprising to find that they admit more disabled students than any other university in the UK. The statistics of how May of their students have only one A-level or below is surprising but it further shows the importance the OU serves for the community at large. 

I've been aware of the OU for numerous years and was aware how much it helped people unable to attend a more traditional university.  I was surprised how many young people were enrolled as I'd always pictured older students who had gone back to studying.

I love the ethos and how inclusive it is around the wide variety of lifestyles people have whether that is work, caring responsibilities or something else.

The percentage of under 25s was a surprise to me - I was expecting it to be lower. However, given the costs of going to university these days, the OU approach of part-time study is clearly an attractive one to many.

I'm not exactly surprised by the things I've read about the OU here, because I have felt included as a student in a way that would have been impossible for me at a brick university because of my circumstances, and the OU has been a life-line to me over the last four years.  Rather, I am uplifted to see that there is a whole movement of people committed to making education available to all, something I have been battling with personally on a very very tiny scale with my two neuro-diverse children, and something I feel very strongly about.  I strongly agree that 'learning is fundamental to our humanity' and am more sure than ever that I am hoping for a role in a community I am able to fully engage with and commit to.