Cash boost for programme which encourages students to aim high

A YORKSHIRE not-for-profit educational programme has been awarded cash grants from two major charitable organisations which will enable it to offer local students the opportunity to go on a five-day visit to the University of Cambridge.

Don’t Skateboard in the Hallways, which aims to give sixth-formers in local state schools the same opportunities and advantages as privately-educated pupils, has secured the funding from UnLtd, a charity which supports social entrepreneurs, and Key Fund Yorkshire, which offers financial support to social enterprises throughout Yorkshire.

The programme offers students encouragement and advice on to how to be successful at top universities.

Students also take part in an entrepreneurial project that aims to raise funds to support future participants in the programme.

The Cambridge trip, which will run during the February half-term, aims to inform and inspire students by engaging them in a series of round-table discussions, including a debate at the famous Union Society.

Don’t Skateboard in the Hallways is the brainchild of Matthew Handy, director of Mathematics at Salinger’s College in York.

He said: “We focus on the need to be thoughtful in every sense, as demonstrated by our one rule: don’t skateboard in the hallways! Our support reinforces and complements what students learn at school and at home and we actively target those young people who are most likely to benefit from our work.

“I am really excited at the prospect of taking a group of students to Cambridge and would encourage parents, carers or teachers of any prospective candidates to contact me as soon as possible to have the best chance of winning a place.”

Local businesses are being encouraged to offer their support and past commercial sponsors have included Holiday Inn, Novotel and Hunters Estate Agents. The project’s patron is Professor Bill Brewer, of Oxford and Warwick universities.

For more information contact Matthew Handy on 01423 701 077 or e-mail matthew@dontskateboard.com.