Education Maintenance Allowance - exceptions

Gemmzie

I sympathise completely but have to say (although I'll probably be flamed for it), the children who go onto secondary early are probably in the majority from private schools and wealthy families who wouldn't get EMA either. Or, it just hasn't happened for any students yet as EMA is a fairly new benefit.
I think you'd be hard-pressed to find many in a similar situation.

Pont

I think what you say about academically advanced kids as being usually associated with comfortably off middle class families, that wouldn't be eligible for EMA anyway, is quite correct. I think this is the main reason why this problem hasn't been addressed - it just doesn't occur very often.

However, there are always exceptions. Without a boring life history I am a single parent, work as a teacher (no we don't all get paid what's oft reported), and have two children who are lucky enough to be academically bright. I don't live in a massive house (rent a semi from HA) and my children attend(ed) a 'bog standard comp'.

I certainly won't 'flame' you, I'm looking for as many comments/suggestions as possible, so all posts are welcome.

surfsister

Anyone know if parents or the child's savings affect ema? eg can we still get it if we have savings? thanks

poet123

It does sound very unfair,but I suspect your daughter may well be unique in the respect that the combination of circumstance have come together and they make her ineligible. Very few gifted children go to high school early in the state system,even less would be as young as your daugter and then the other financial factors. I suppose they do have to have rules but surely it should just be completion of compulsory education and ability and acceptance to do Advanced levels,not DOB as well. Could you go down the age discrimination route?

Pont

poet123 wrote: »

It does sound very unfair,but I suspect your daughter may well be unique in the respect that the combination of circumstance have come together and they make her ineligible. Very few gifted children go to high school early in the state system,even less would be as young as your daugter and then the other financial factors. I suppose they do have to have rules but surely it should just be completion of compulsory education and ability and acceptance to do Advanced levels,not DOB as well. Could you go down the age discrimination route?

Thanks Poet for your thoughtful reply. I agree totally with you about the completion of compulsory education, ability, acceptance etc - this is what my frustrations centre on.

I think there may be an age discrimination route as when I suggested to the powers that be, that to hold my DD back for another year at school, and to alienate her from friends that she has been with for the past 11+ years, would 'cause damage to her well-being' (clasping at straws!) they backed off quickly. They, school, LEA, WAG, Dept. of Ed. etc have now wished her good luck in her A level studies at college! According to all she has completed compulsory education. Even the head at her present school is speechless with this ruling!

Unless some super moneysavingexpert comes up with an alternative suggestion my next route is an Individual Petition to the European Parliament on the grounds of age discrimination. Of course this will take time which we don't have (college starts 8th September). Well it's that or The Daily Mail!

Pont

Please keep all suggestions and advice coming thick and fast. Your comments are really appreciated.:T

The_One_Who

I don't know how well age discrimination would go down. Adults at college don't get it, do they get any other funding? Also, I don't think the Daily Mail would be the best paper to write to in this case.

Pont

The_One_Who wrote: »

I don't know how well age discrimination would go down. Adults at college don't get it, do they get any other funding? Also, I don't think the Daily Mail would be the best paper to write to in this case.

Adults can apply for an ALG (adult learning grant) which is comparable. The criteria is the same as for EMA - means tested but not available for a higher level qualification. It is good for A levels, NVQs etc.

The Daily Mail reference was a little tongue in cheek - but who knows? Needs must! I think the national press would be interested in exactly who can claim EMA - all EU nationals, all asylum seekers, all young offenders who are serving sentences and so on. Beggars belief that a young, bright, UK national who's only 'crime' is to try too hard and be too young, is left high and dry!

The_One_Who

Ah, OK, it was just that if adults don't get any help then they would throw that at you for an age discrimination case.

If you do go to the press I'd choose a less middle-class, right wing paper who are probably against it in the first place. Although, they might take it and run with it as an anti-foreigner, anti-young offenders piece.

Oldernotwiser

On the other side of the coin, because of your daughter's age, she'd be eligible for an extra year's free education after leaving school. Although this may be little use to your daughter (unless she fails her A levels!) it could be very helpful for someone doing longer, vocational courses. Age limits cut both ways.

I'm afraid that when you start ranting about asylum seekers you lose a lot of my sympathy; perhaps the Daily Mail is the right place after all!