Thousands of young people will benefit from a new learning center East Hull

In collaboration with the University of Hull and IntoUniversity, the UK’s largest university-access charity, the University of York is opening a new education center for school-aged children in East Hull.

The learning center, which will open this autumn for students ages 7 to 18, intends to increase the likelihood of thousands of young people in the city attending university.

The learning center, which will be based in The Freedom Centre in East Hull, will collaborate with local schools to enhance educational achievements for young people in the area, which has the fifth-highest percentage of postcodes in England where young people are least likely to go to university.

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of York said:

“Our founders set up the University of York for the public good and to care, more than almost anything else, about ensuring access to university education for those who had previously not had the opportunity. 

“This partnership is built on this shared belief in the power of education to transform young people’s lives. And we are extremely grateful to our benefactors, staff, and students for their support in helping provide these opportunities for young people in Hull.”

Mary Haworth, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni at the University of York added:

“We want to become recognized globally as a ‘university of opportunity’ by significantly expanding our donor-funded scholarship and access programs to help unleash talent, wherever we find it.

“We are delighted to be working with the University of Hull and IntoUniversity and we hope the IntoUniversity Centre Hull will be just the beginning of a program of work with our coastal communities across the region.”

Philanthropic supporters have contributed £1.3 million to the center’s development. Four full-time employees will be hired to provide after-school Academic Support sessions to K-12 students, aspiration-building seminars in collaboration with local schools, and a mentoring program with current university students and professionals.

During the school year, students will be able to visit the Academic Support Center after school Monday through Thursday, and workshops with partner schools will be held during the daytime throughout the week, with all daytime and evening activities adhering to current Covid-19 requirements.

The center will serve over 1,000 students each year once it is operational, and it will complement existing programs given by organizations serving the East Hull region.

Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said:

“The University of Hull has inclusivity at its heart and this is reflected in the diversity of our student body and our range of partnership work to promote access and success in our local communities.

“Living by our University motto Lampada Ferens, which translates as carrying the light of learning, we’ve been inspiring futures, broadening horizons, and pushing boundaries for over 90 years.“

“We are delighted to add to this work through our partnership with IntoUniversity, the University of York, and our donors and supporters to deliver further quality outreach that will inspire and encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Hull to take a positive step into higher education.”

Dr. Hugh Rayment-Pickard, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, added: 

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Universities of Hull and York to open an IntoUniversity center in East Hull next autumn. We are looking forward to building partnerships with schools and families in the local community to support students to achieve their ambitions.”