A PROGRAMME devised to open new doors for women in the Stockton area has been held up nationally as an example of how to succeed in women's education and training.

The New Start for Women programme began eight years ago and is run jointly by Stockton Sixth Form College and Stockton Adult Education Service. It was described as a course that succeeds "on all counts" in a recent edition of the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education's (NIACE) journal.

The course has seen its numbers soar from 28 women on two courses in 1992, to 157 on 12 courses this year. More than 70 per cent of students go on to further education and higher education.

One successful student is mother of two, Joanne Raynor, who joined the course at Kiora Hall, on Stockton's Roseworth estate, last year.

Her children, both under school age, went into the creche while she studied.

She went on to take a BTEC Diploma in Childhood Studies at college, and has just completed her first year with merits and distinction.

She said: "I don't think I could have done it without the New Start course. I would not have had the confidence to walk into college as a mature student. The course gave me the support, guidance and confidence to go on."

Women enrol for a free one day a week course, with childcare support, which combines social studies, English and information technology.

A new course starts in September. Call Gail Henegan, Stockton South on (01642) 393536 or Jenny Slyvester, Stockton North on (01642) 397365.

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