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Education centre to create new opportunities for young people in Bridlington

Universities team up to open education centre to create new opportunities for young people in Bridlington

Posted on 27 February 2025

The universities of York and Hull have partnered with national education charity IntoUniversity to open a new learning centre to provide opportunities for thousands of local young people in Bridlington and the surrounding area.

Local students cut the ribbon at the launch of the new centre in Bridlington.

The new centre will provide academic support, mentoring and aspiration raising activities for children facing disadvantage from Bridlington and the surrounding areas. Located in the Key Centre on Quay Road, the centre was officially launched at a celebratory event on 26 February, at which the ribbon was cut by local students.

Attending the event were around 20 students aged 7-18 who are set to benefit from the centre for the next academic year and beyond, with some of them delivering speeches.

Students facing disadvantage

Around 28.8% of children in Bridlington are living in poverty, and the town is among the 10% most deprived places nationally. The local progression rate into higher education is just 32%, compared to 44% of students nationally, making the area a prime location for an IntoUniversity centre.

The centre employs four full-time members of staff and will be used to offer after-school academic support, mentoring with local university students and professionals, in-school aspiration-raising workshops and enrichment and work experience opportunities.

IntoUniversity has a proven track record of improving attainment into higher education for students facing disadvantage, and currently supports over 50,000 young people each year at their 44 centres nationwide.

61% of students who attend IntoUniversity centres go on to progress to university, compared with 28% of students from similar backgrounds nationally.

Reducing education gaps

University of York Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charlie Jeffery, said: “We are thrilled to officially open our new centre in Bridlington in partnership with IntoUniversity and the University of Hull. Alongside our other centres, it will be instrumental in reducing education gaps and tackling inequality in our region.

“At York, we aspire to be the University of Opportunity, ensuring there are no barriers to access, success, achievement, and progression for any student. This commitment begins early by providing children from the most disadvantaged communities with the resources and support they need to pursue a bright future.

“The Centre will nurture the talents of young people who may have never considered higher education before or thought it was out of reach. We have a real opportunity to change lives, and we look forward to the future of this new Centre and all the young people who walk through its doors.”

Future study and careers

Primary school students took part in a variety of activities during the event replicating the type of activities they will be engaging with in the year ahead during after-school academic support sessions. Secondary school students posed questions about future study and careers to survey attending guests.

Guests were also joined by special guest Alan Johnson - Chancellor of the University of Hull and former Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom - who spoke about his experiences growing up.

The centre is a joint venture between IntoUniversity, the University of Hull and the University of York, and is also supported by a number of philanthropic and corporate partners. The partnership currently runs a successful centre in Hull, and, as well as IntoUniversity Bridlington, will be officially launching a new centre in Grimsby this April.

Amazing young people

Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, said: “We’re really excited to have officially launched this new centre in Bridlington, building on our already successful work in Yorkshire and the Humber.

“We look forward to working closely with local schools, parents and carers and of course the amazing young people who are the heart and soul of these centres. Young people in Bridlington have so much talent, but circumstances can mean their opportunities to reach their full potential are limited.

“We believe that with the right support these young people can thrive and achieve in their educational journeys. Thanks to our partners, the Universities of Hull and York, and to everyone else who has made this centre possible.”

Full potential

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull, added: “I am delighted that the launch of this new centre in Bridlington will benefit young people in our region – and will build on the success of the IntoUniversity centre in Hull.

“At the University of Hull, we are committed to inspiring young people into education and giving those from disadvantaged backgrounds the confidence to take a positive step into higher education.

“Working with our successful partnership with IntoUniversity, and the University of York, as well as our supporters and generous donors, we will continue to provide support for our local communities, to address inequalities – especially for those 7-18 year-olds who are facing disadvantage and who are underrepresented in higher education. I firmly believe this work starts at home, in our region, and we look forward to helping more students to achieve their full potential as these new centres flourish.”