MP DEFENDS TWIN GIRLS PENALISED FOR BEING "TOO CLEVER"

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 26th Jan 2010

Julia Goldsworthy MP has called on the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to intervene in the case of two Camborne School pupils who were denied Government cash because they were "too clever".

The Falmouth and Camborne MP highlighted the case of twins Sarah and Emily Nicholas, both 16, who were denied the Education Maintenance Allowance, worth £60 per week. The girls, who live with their widowed mother in Praze, were told they were too young to claim EMA - despite other pupils in their year at school being entitled to it.

The unusual scenario happened because both girls were moved up a year because of their academic excellence. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Julia Goldsworthy called on Children's Secretary Ed Balls to review the law in such cases.

She said: "My constituent, Mrs Nicholas, is a widow with twin daughters, Emily and Sarah, who are clever enough to be studying for their A-levels a year ahead of their age cohort.

"As a result, they have been told that they do not qualify for the Education Maintenance Allowance. Is that not an unfairness? Will the Secretary of State pledge to put it right?"

Mr Balls has now agreed to look into the matter.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy said: "The Education Maintenance Allowance is designed to help pupils remain in education after the age of 16. But, as so often, the rules do not take exceptional circumstances like this into account.

"Sarah and Emily are both exceptionally bright girls who have been penalised simply because they are bright enough to sit their exams early. I very much hope the Secretary of State changes the rules for cases such as this and ensures that the Nicholas family get their full entitlement as soon as possible."