Businessman steps in to help student make it to university

Shaun Mays, who grew up and was educated in Hull, contacted Wyke College in the city to offer his help after hearing about the higher tuition fee regime which came into effect last year which means students are charged £9,000 a year.

A shortlist of sixth form students was drawn up by the college who were each interviewed by Mr Mays.

Stephanie Bill, 18, was chosen as the recipient who will receive £6,000-a-year toward her maintenance costs.

Yesterday she celebrated her success in getting the grades 
she needed to earn a place 
studying psychology at York University.

She picked up As in biology and psychology and Bs in chemistry and an extended project.

She said: “I will be the first person in my family to go to university.

“It is such a great opportunity and my family and I are so grateful for this support.”

Wyke College’s vice principal, Mike Rogerson, said: “It is a 
very generous offer for Shaun to help one of our students in this way and we are delighted that 
he has made this gesture of support.”

During his childhood in Hull, Mr Mays attended Kingston High School which is no longer open but which was based on the same site as the Sirius Academy which was Stephanie’s former school before she joined Wyke sixth form college.

Stephanie was just one of the success stories at Wyke College yesterday, which had 70 students achieving at least three grades at A* or A.