A GROUP of education providers in North Yorkshire have been awarded funding of £1.2m to support the most disadvantaged young people in the region to progress into higher education.

The Higher York consortium, which includes York St John University, University of York, York College, Askham Bryan College and Yorkshire Coast College in Scarborough, will deliver the Government’s newly launched National Collaborative Outreach Programme.

Professor Karen Stanton, vice-chancellor at York St John University which leads the consortium, said the funding commitment sent an encouraging message about the value of higher education.

She added: “We are in a position to reach students who are unlikely to access higher education without our help, support and guidance.”