AS EXAM results loom, hope is on hand for any 18 -24 year olds who have not

achieved the grades they hoped for.

A free 10-day summer school, aimed at helping young people gain access to further and higher education, is being organised by The University of Manchester and Warrington Collegiate Institute. The course is primarily for 18-24 year olds who have completed post-16 study, such as A-level, HNC and BTEC and are unsure about their next step.

Last year's summer school was a great success. Sixteen students joined the course, and 13 went on to degree programmes at Warrington in September 2000. Another two joined Access to Higher Education courses in the region.

The main focus of the course is on the development and enhancement of key

skills, including research methods, study skills, literacy, self-awareness and

communication.

Tutors will recommend appropriate courses in either higher or further education to successful candidates on completion of the summer school. Gemma Dawson, who attended last year's course and is now studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Leisure with Media at Warrington, said: "I didn't get the grades I needed from college so doing the summer school gaveme a second chance to prove myself capable of doing a degree."