A GWENT grandmother has just graduated with an Masters degree in early years education from the University of South Wales' Caerleon campus, and plans to set up a consultancy business.

Beth Orriss, 69, worked as a teacher for many years but never got round to completing her teaching degree, something that wasn't required when she first qualified, she explained.

"I was always left with a feeling that I could've done that," said Mrs Orriss, who started the part-time, four-year course in 2010 with the then University of Wales, Newport and graduated on September 10 with a starred pass.

"Life and children came along and I never actually did my degree. I've done other qualifications and other things after being a teacher but with my children all grown up I started to wonder if I could fill that hole.

"I ended up Caerleon because they were so welcoming and understanding about my history," she said. "My long experience in early years education was enough to enable me to go straight onto the MA course."

The part-time course involved one evening a week with three hours' tutor time plus additional reading and research.

"I was always the oldest," laughed Mrs Orriss of her classes. "The course was very interesting and I enjoyed it very much. I've always enjoyed learning and as an adult I took extra A-levels in psychology and sociology in the 1980s.

"I think it's a lovely building at Caerleon and the library is excellent. It's a great loss (that the campus will close). There's a loss of identity, I feel a little sad about it.

"I started at the University of Wales, Newport, so I graduated in the turquoise Newport gown rather than the red of the University of South Wales," said Mrs Orriss, who is from Caerphilly.

"I was absolutely terrified about the ceremony but it was worth doing. I had two of my three daughters with me and two of my three granddaughters.

"Now I'm writing a couple of books, one for adults about children and one for children, and I am trying to set up a small consultancy business about early years education."