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New Grimsby education centre will provide opportunities for thousands of local young people

Posted on 3 April 2025

A new learning centre to provide opportunities for thousands of local young people facing barriers to higher education from Grimsby and the surrounding areas has been officially launched.

Image credit: IntoUniversity

The centre is a partnership between the University of York, University of Hull and the education charity IntoUniversity and will provide academic support, mentoring and aspiration-raising activities for young people in Grimsby.

The new education facility celebrated an opening event on Wednesday 2 April at its centre in the Grimsby Neighbourhood Centre on Weelsby Street at which the ribbon was cut by local students. 

Around 37.7% of children in Grimsby are living in poverty, and the town is an IMD (index of multiple deprivation) decile 1 area, meaning it’s among the 10% most deprived places nationally. East Marsh, where the centre is located, is in the top 1% of most deprived places nationally. The local progression rate into higher education is just 14%, compared to 44% of students nationally. 

Brighter futures

University of York Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charlie Jeffery, said: “We’re incredibly proud to join forces with IntoUniversity and the University of Hull to officially launch our new centre in Grimsby. Alongside our other centres, it will provide the tools, support, and inspiration needed to open doors to higher education and brighter futures for thousands of talented young people from the most disadvantaged communities in our region.

“These centres play a key role in our big ambition here at the University of York to be the University of Opportunity, where there are no gaps to access, success, award and progression for any student regardless of their circumstance.”

Attending the event were 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.

Aspiration raising

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. 

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 56,000 young people each year at their 44 centres nationwide.

58% of students who attend IntoUniversity centres go on to progress to university, compared with 29% of students from similar backgrounds nationally.

Expanding partnership

Dr Rachel Carr, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of IntoUniversity, said: “Thank you to everyone from the community who helped us celebrate the official launch of this new centre in Grimsby, which we hope will inspire and enable young people in Grimsby to reach their full potential for many years to come.

“This new centre is a fantastic addition to our existing work in Yorkshire and the Humber, and we’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with the Universities of Hull and York to support more young people in this part of the country.

“We believe that with the right support young people in Grimsby can thrive in their educational journeys and ultimately reach positive post-school destinations. Thanks to our partners, and to everyone else who has made this centre possible.”

Local communities

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

“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 through 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.”

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