Colleagues of a much-loved Oxford teacher hope a scholarship set up in his memory will help young city students achieve great things.

Chris Mathieson, director of studies at the Oxford Tutorial College, passed away suddenly at the age of 56 in December 2010.

Colleagues said the loss of a “truly unforgettable person” had left a large hole in the college.

They have now launched the Chris Mathieson Memorial Scholarship, which will pay for one student from an Oxford school to get a residential place on the college’s Easter revision course and the chance to stay in an Oxford college. The schools taking part are Cheney, Cherwell, Matthew Arnold, Wheatley Park, St Gregory’s and the Oxford Academy.

Neil Clark, scholarship co-ordinator at the independent sixth-form college in King Edward Street, said: “Chris Mathieson made a huge impact on everyone who knew him. A passionate educator and believer in educational opportunity, we feel that starting such a scholarship scheme is the best way we can commemorate Chris and build on his legacy.”

A life-long Beatles and cricket fan, Mr Mathieson studied law at Oxford University and stayed in the city for the rest of his life.

Mr Clark said: “Chris himself was educated at Oxford University, and we believe that giving a student the opportunity of studying in the university college environment would be something he would have heartily approved of.”

Headteacher of Wheatley Park Kate Curtis said: “This is an excellent idea and I’d love to see more of this kind of thing. Too many Oxford school students never even get through the doors of Oxford colleges, even though they live here.”