Mother of two Uma Rana will celebrate achieving her dream this weekend when she is awarded her degree.

The 40-year-old left her Bradford school without any qualifications but, determined to better herself, she enrolled on an Open University course and is now a teacher inspiring others to follow their dreams.

Mrs Rana lectures at Shipley College, teaching English as a second language.

The former pupil of Thornton Upper School said: "I had a bad start at school.

"I didn't understand and there were big classes and I probably needed more one-to-one tuition.

"I went through school and did not do well; it was like I was just passing through."

Mrs Rana began working as a tax officer but decided to continue her education and started evening classes taking GCSEs in English, biology, maths and law.

She said: "I did them in my own time and studied in the evening.

"Then I decided not to do A-levels and went straight on to the Open University.

"In between, I got married and had children. It was hard work but it was worth it. I was not overly confident and it gave me the opportunity to work in my own time.

"Getting my degree was one of my dreams because no one else in my family has one.

"And I wanted to a job that would give me satisfaction."

She began the course in 2000 and completed her BSc (Hons) in Social Sciences this year.

Mrs Rana - who lives with husband Umesh, 42, and their children Kieran, 13, and Jordan, 11, at Penfield Grove, Clayton - said: "I'm not quite sure what happens from here but I am thinking about doing a post-graduate certificate of education.

"I want to carry on teaching and maybe teach abroad when my children have grown up.

"I teach a lot of Asian women and there is a social barrier with what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do.

"I help them overcome that and can be an example for women and encourage them to go forward."

More than 500 Yorkshire students will collect their degrees on Saturday at the Harrogate International Centre from Paul Clark, the Open University's pro-vice-chancellor for learning and teaching.

Among the district's other graduates are engineering manager Brian Taylor, 54, of Oakleigh View, Baildon; Cindy Sheard, 39, of Ash Grove, Cleckheaton, who has completed a BA (Hon) in Humanities; Lynne Ash, 47, of East Parade, Keighley, who has passed her Dip HE; urology nurse Gillian Driver, 46, of Keighley; administrator Verlie McCann, 57, of Bingley; Val Smith, 49, of Shaw Lane, Oxenhope, who has completed her MA Ed; computer operator Carol Oliver, 49, of Skipton and police case builder Mark Exley, 29, of Rhodesway who will get his LLB (Hons).

Details about the Open University are available by calling (01908) 653231 or visiting www.open.ac.uk