TEENAGERS are being encouraged to do well at school and progress to university through a £16,000 grant from a regeneration fund.
The cash, from the Sedgefield Single Regeneration Budget 5 (SRB5) Competitiveness Partnership, will also dispel higher education's "snobby" image for pupils in years nine to 11.
Schools earmarked for help over the next three years are Spennymoor Technology College, Tudhoe Technology College, Woodham Community Technology College and Greenfield School Community and Arts College, Newton Aycliffe.
The project aims to make pupils more aware of higher education and to raise standards of achievement.
Greenfield School piloted the scheme several years ago and it proved so successful that ten other schools from the South-West Durham area, along with Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, took part.
Richard Prisk, Sedgefield council's regeneration manager, said: "Each school will visit one of the regional universities.
"Pupils will learn about student life and examine case studies of school leavers from their area who have gained qualifications and established successful careers."
The project also aims to develop a higher education website
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article