Hundreds to suffer school-scheme axe

HUNDREDS of Oldham youngsters are going to suffer if they want to aim higher in further education.

All the borough’s 15 secondary schools and two colleges face the end of the vital Aimhigher programme next month after the Government’s decision to scrap the scheme.

The axed initiative aims to raise the aspirations of young people through activities and gateway support to universities.

Oasis Academy is one of the schools losing the benefits. Their school Aimhigher co-ordinator, Cimone Wright, said: “We perform visits to universities and give support to the youngsters about moving into further education.

“Now with the scrapping, even the Year 9 pupils, who are only one year into the programme, will not be able to carry on.”

Oldham Aimhigher area co-ordinator, Bass Abdul, will be losing his job, like many up and down the country in his position.

He said: “There will be no money next month, which is a shame.

“A lot of youngsters have benefited from this initiative and we work closely with the local universities.

“Now we will not be able to see how the current set of youngsters will go on in the future.”

Mr Abdul revealed schools are being encouraged to continue their own scheme to help pupils into further education.

John Sanders, assistant director of Aimhigher Greater Manchester, is looking to towards the future.

He said: “We hope there will be opportunities for many of the successes of Aimhigher to be built upon and continue in Oldham, even though the nationally-funded programme has been cancelled.”


...But here’s someone still aiming higher
AN acrobat from Hollinwood has taken her place in the Aimhigher roll of honour.

Jenny Britain (16) will be one of the last students awarded the accolade after the Government’s summer scrapping.

The Oasis Academy student was nominated by her school, where she is currently sitting her GCSEs, after her dad Geoff died suddenly two years ago.

Her mum Julie said: “Jenny has coped with everything, because what we have all gone through has been a life-changing experience.

“She has been fantastic. She is always performing voluntary work and is now a Level One coach in acrobatic gymnastics.

“Jenny has been given opportunities to be more independent — a lot of young people are going to suffer when they cancel the scheme.”