20th May 2002
BARNSLEY OPENS DOORS FOR SECRET COLLEGE SUCCESS

One of the world’s models for best practice in distance learning, Barnsley-based Open College of the Arts (OCA), is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary year and the enrolment of over 50,000 students, with 3,000 students enrolling this year from all over the world including the Far East, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Remarkably, however, OCA’s name is little known in the UK, even though it is the largest, open-access, distance learning, arts college in the world, and has pioneered the world’s first ever distance learning courses in the arts; painting, drawing, singing, dance, music, photography, sculpture, creative writing and interior design to name but a few of the 30-plus courses now available. Roger Head, director of OCA, said: “OCA is like an unpolished jewel. Our influence is enormous and we’re acting as a model for arts education organisations all over the world, yet few in the UK seem to have heard of us.”

OCA really is one of the country’s best kept secrets, though it’s not for the want of trying. Inevitably, the reason why OCA’s name isn’t perhaps instantly recognisable comes down to funding, or lack of it. Although OCA is a registered charity, it is 95% funded by student fees and has no access to mainstream or academic funding. Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) was keen to keep OCA in the area when the college was forced to move from its original Grade 1 listed based at Houndhill, Worsborough. OCA vacated the former home of the Elmhirst family over a year ago, due to the impracticalities caused by subsequent changes in health and safety legislation.

BDA assisted OCA in finding its current premises at Redbrook Business Park, as well as providing guidance and support on a range of issues. “We’ve been pleased with the support and guidance of BDA, which has helped us to maintain and develop our base in the north of England. What we really need now is some private sector sponsorship to ensure that the good work of the OCA over the past 15 years is capitalised upon and maximised to its full potential,” concluded Roger.

Many of OCA’s courses are accredited by the University of Glamorgan and the higher education credit (CATS) points can be put towards university qualifications from the Open University (to which OCA is affiliated) or Glamorgan. Students have already obtained Certificates of Higher Education and Diplomas in Higher Education – both from the University of Glamorgan. It is now possible for a student to obtain a Degree from CATS points obtained entirely from OCA courses. However, most students take OCA courses for personal development or sheer pleasure. Many students successfully use the portfolio of work produced during their course to gain direct entry to college/university and sometimes onto MA courses.

Jeff Pickering, economic development manager at Barnsley Development Agency said: “OCA is a terrific success story and we’re delighted that it has chosen to continue to operate out of Barnsley. We’ll continue to support OCA in whatever way we can to ensure that it remains in the town and contributes to the social fabric and regeneration of Barnsley for many decades to come.”

OCA courses range from only £309-£507, and no previous qualifications are required for first level courses. OCA offers flexible learning programmes that can include face-to-face as well as postal tuition. The organisation was founded by Lord Young to prove the doubters wrong – that the arts could successfully be taught on an open-access basis, deliverable by post. The college certainly practices what it preaches, with many of its own staff taking up the offer of free training and educational courses as part of the college’s commitment to lifelong learning.

For further information on Open College of the Arts, contact student services on (01226) 730495 or visit www.oca-uk.com


For further information on BDA, contact Barnsley Development Agency on
(01226) 784444.

If you require any further information please email us.

Barnsley Development Agency
Beevor Court, Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HG
Telephone: +44 (0)1226 784444

© 2002