Education

Jordan Rhodes has been awarded a place on a course in professional musical theatre at the Performers Coll-ege, in Essex, due to start on September 7, which leads to a national diploma.

But because a diploma is classed as further education rather the higher education, she is barred from getting a student loan for the three-year course.

Loans are offered to all higher education students.

Now Jordan, who is being backed by Keighley MP Ann Cryer, is having to raise the £11,500 a year fees herself.

She has even sold some of her shoes and many items of clothing from her own wardrobe on the online auction site eBay.

Jordan said: “I think it’s so unfair. I would be in classes for more hours than most other university students but I’m not allowed to have the same amount of help. It’s ridiculous that just because I want to do something performance-related, it’s not classed as educational.”

She now hopes to raise the necessary funds through a mixture of small awards from charitable educational trusts, sponsorship from local businesses and fund-raising events such as karaoke nights and sponsored walks.

Her godmother, Jilly Beaumont, said: “The Gov-ernment is actively encouraging young people to stay in further or higher education at the current time and has a number of financial support packages available.

But none of these is available to Jordan because of the nature of her course and college.

To secure her offer from the Performers College, 19-year-old Jordan competed in a number of auditions against 900 other hopefuls, grabbing one of only 55 places on offer. The former Bingley Grammar School pupil has attended dance classes at the Nydza School of Dance and Performing Arts since the age of five and has performed in many local shows and exhibitions.

She and her family have taken her case to Keighley MP Ann Cryer .

Mrs Cryer has written about Miss Rhodes’s situation to the Minister for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, MP David Lammy.

Mrs Cryer said people like Jordan who live a long way from the capital are disadvantaged, as they must pay more for travel and accommodation.

She said: “It’s a shame, because what's happening is that people from northern towns who want to pursue slightly different types of courses such as this, face much greater difficulties than those who live in the London area. So I’d like to see people from the north receive more help".

A spokesman for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) said: “Financial support is available towards learning and other related costs like travel, depending on factors including personal circumstances and the type of course.

“Young people who are eligible and apply now can receive valuable financial support to help them improve their skills and qualifications. Information is available at direct.gov.uk”.