YORK'S MP has called on the city's university to do more to "open its doors" to local schools.

Hugh Bayley's appeal comes as a survey reveals that just one-in-four 18 and 19-year-olds living in York go on to higher education.

But the city's schools and universities must also take more responsibility for encouraging young people to enter higher education, claims Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat education spokesman and MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

He argues that the number of youngsters from York who go to university is "unacceptably low".

In the Vale of York, and Harrogate and Knaresborough, 40 per cent of young people enter university.

The five-year study by the Higher Education Funding Council for England looked at participation rates among students, aged 18 and 19, in every UK constituency from 1994 to 2000.

The results highlighted large differences within York and North Yorkshire.

Mr Bayley said: "There are many young people from York schools who have the ability to do a university degree but who do not get to university. Schools should do more to prepare young people to go into higher education and the University of York should open its doors to York schools, so that young people can see what is on offer if they get a university place."

Connie Cullen, director of admissions and schools liaison at the University of York said: "We already do a lot and we are planning to do more. It is disappointing if these services haven't yet borne fruit, but we will keep on plugging away."

Mr Willis, himself a former head teacher, said: "Twenty-five per cent participation in York is unacceptably low, considering there is a world-class university just down the road. You have one of the world's leading bioscience departments, yet it is just not exciting young people. Something is obviously going wrong.

"In my view, a school has failed if a child leaves not wanting to be a learner for life."

Coun Carol Runciman, of City of York Council, said: "York College and all the city's schools with sixth forms have very good records of getting young people into university. As the universities are expanding, they are doing more, and the situation is changing. But there is still the perceived big barrier of top-up fees."

Percentage of young people going into higher education

Harrogate & Knaresborough - 40%

Vale of York - 40%

Ryedale - 34%

Selby - 34%

Scarborough & Whitby - 30%

East Yorkshire - 29%

City of York - 25%

Leeds Central - 10%

Updated: 10:17 Friday, January 21, 2005