FINDING NEW STARS IN SPACE

LEAVING school with no qualifications, Jez Turner was convinced his education was over. Years later, he stumbled across an Open University science programme on TV and his passion for space rocketed.

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Jez, 53, from Nottingham, is now a university lecturer and is determined to help others.

How did you do at school?

I struggled and failed my GCSEs. I didn’t have a plan, but I was motivated to find work.

I had a few jobs that weren't really going anywhere, I was even a gnome-maker for a while. I had a great time, there was great camaraderie, but there were no prospects. So I took part in a Youth Training Scheme, which was a government initiative like an apprenticeship, with Kwik Fit.

I did really well there, and gradually I worked my way up to management and recognised I could achieve things. I started to feel that I wasn't as stupid as my exam results suggested.

Where did the science fit in?

As a science-fiction fan, I loved playing video games in my spare time. After playing a game that explored the physics of space flight, I was fascinated.

I devoured popular science books I couldn't get enough of the content. It fascinated me.

I bought a small telescope, then spent evenings staring at the moon and the stars contemplating existence, the universe and what it all means.

How did you discover the Open University?