Appendix 1.

Letter to Mr.Helmore. Principal of CCAT.
                             214, Chesterton Road,
                             Cambridge, CB4 1NE.

Dear Mr. Helmore,

Under the guidance of Charles Dodd and my Sociology tutor, Andrew Webster, I am now in a position to make a formal application to CNAA to undertake a research project based on the mature students reading for a degree at CCAT.

I am therefore now writing to ask your permission to approach all those students over 25 years of age enrolling in October, 1984, before submitting my application.

I enclose a summary of my project and the letter I propose to send to the students asking them to participate in my research.

I have already approached the 7 degree course tutors in Science, Modern languages, English, History, Geography, European Thought and Literature and Art, and have received much encouragement and support from them all.

I do hope you will be able to approve of my proposal and will give me the necessary permission to proceed.

Yours sincerely,

Alice Zeitlyn.

Letter of Introduction to Mature Students:

Please reply to: Alice Zeitlyn,            CCAT,
                 214, Chesterton Road,     East Rd.,
                 Cambridge. CB4 1NE.       Cambridge.
                                           CB1 1PT.

Dear

Letter of Introduction and Explanation.

CCAT has given me permission to contact you as a prospective student on the degree course.

I am undertaking a research project leading to an M.Phil.,having myself finished a degree course in English/History at CCAT in 1983 after my children had left home. I would be very grateful if you were willing to help me.

The aim of the research is to explore the experiences of mature students returning to study; to define areas within which they might need help, and thus be able to suggest practical ways in which this can be done.

What I want to do is to follow all mature students entering the college in October, 1984, through their course. I hope to interview each person about 4 times a year over the three years. Naturally all information will be treated with complete confidentiality and the interviews will be informal and not too long.

This letter is to introduce myself and needs no answer unless would prefer not to take part.

I will be contacting you again to make the first appointment to meet you.

Yours sincerely, Alice Zeitlyn.

Letter of Introduction to School Leavers.

Please reply to: Alice Zeitlyn,             CCAT,
                 214, Chesterton Rd.,       East Rd.,
                 Cambridge. CB4 1NE.        Cambridge.
                                            CB1 1PT.

Dear Student,

I am a post-graduate student at CCAT doing some research work with mature students who are reading for a degree here. In this connection I would be most grateful if you would allow me to inerview you as a representative of school leavers also reading for a degree.

The interview will be informal and take about 20 minutes I will contact you in the next few weeks to make a convenient appointment unless you would prefer not to take part.

I can be reached via the student pigeon holes outside the canteen in Block D. With many thanks for your help, Yours sincerely, Alice Zeitlyn.

Appendix 2.

Information on filing card

Name Age Address M. W. D. S. Sep. Family background: Occ. of father. Occ. of mother. No. of siblings. Occ. of spouse. No. of children.

Education: Name of school Type. Age of leaving Exams.

Work experience: