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Orphan too poor to go to school
6:13am Tuesday 27th November 2007
Comments (352) Have your say »
A role model student, whose parents died within months of each other, could be forced to quit her A-level studies because she doesn't have enough money to live off.
Seventeen-year-old Kirsty Oldfield, a sixth former at Salt Grammar School in Baildon, has been surviving on part-time earnings as a waitress and small handouts since she was orphaned.
But her financial situation is becoming so desperate she fears it will end her dream of studying at university to become a criminal psychologist. The only state cash Kirsty receives is an Education Maintenance Allowance of £30 a week.
And she has been told that she would have to become pregnant to be entitled to benefits while continuing her education - a situation described as "outrageous" by Shipley MP Philip Davies.
Her dad, Chris Oldfield, suffered a fatal heart attack in a supermarket car park, aged 46, in January this year.
His death came only eight months after her mum Jackie died of an alcohol-related illness while Kirsty was studying for her GCSE exams at the-then family home in Leeds Road, Windhill, Shipley.
Initially, she was entitled to claim income support and housing benefit but even that was taken away from her because she earned too much money - £150 per week - while temporarily working the equivalent of full-time hours at The Connection restaurant in Shipley.
Despite cutting her hours to 14 per week which earns her about £70, she still cannot claim a penny.
Kirsty said: "I said to my head teacher that I might be dropping out because I can't afford to carry on.
"My teachers said that there must be something that I can do but I have asked my benefits adviser and they said I can't claim for anything.
"They said the only way I can claim anything is by becoming pregnant and I don't want to do that because it is wasting my life."
Kirsty, who is in her first year of a two-year course studying A-levels in ICT, Sociology and General Studies, is now living with her half-sister Maggie Blackburn and Maggie's boyfriend Andrew Roberts, both 20, in a three-bedroom house in Daleside Road, Windhill.
She will be entitled to money in a trust fund from the sale of her parents' home when she is 21 and a grant to put her through university but first she has to complete her A-level studies.
But she is now struggling to continue her education at a time when the Government proposes to raise the school-leaving age to 18 by 2015.
Salt teacher Max Robinson, who helped Kirsty to gain four A grades in her GCSEs, said: "I was her teacher during the time when her mum died and she battled on at school. She was unbelievable. Then she lost her dad and, amazingly, she was still coming into school. She's a role model to students and a promising pupil. She gives 100 per cent all the time."
A church and the school had offered small grants to see Kirsty past Christmas.
Mr Robinson, who has enlisted the help of constituency MP Mr Davies, said: "She seems to be in this tiny loophole in the system. It is horrendous."
Mr Davies has now demanded answers from Schools Minister Ed Balls about how such a situation can happen.
He said: "This is just the most deeply tragic and heart-rending situation.
"It would be tragic for anyone to be in this situation, especially a talented pupil who really wants to be there.
"The school has been incredibly supportive and offered all the help that it can but it can only do so much.
"If anybody is in a position to help and really wants to do something to make a difference to this person's life, then I couldn't think of anyone more deserving."
- Anyone who is able to sponsor Kirsty during her A-level studies should contact Salt Grammar School on (01274) 415551.
- Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here
Your Say YourBradford
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
phila9, Bradford says...
8:50am Tue 27 Nov 07
victor wrote:Totally agree Victor! Benefits are for people in desperate need. £100 per week for living at home seems ample.
So she gets £100 pwk and lives with relatives? that doesnt sound like a desperate financial situation, no wonder she cant get benefits.
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
JT, Bradford says...
9:20am Tue 27 Nov 07
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
Darren, Shipley says...
9:27am Tue 27 Nov 07
£70 is not a lot of money to support yourself on.
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
hoskerg, Bradford says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
sajenkin, Odsal says...
9:40am Tue 27 Nov 07
Having said that I admire the girls fortitude in adversity, and I do think that there ought to be a mechanism to reward this committment. There are far too many that get handouts for doing absolutely nothing other than bringing an illegitimate into the world. No doubt if she lived alone she would be entitled to rent/rate rebates etc. but as she choses to stay with family she misses out.
I say well done to her - and urge her to carry on regardless of the difficulties. I hope that in 10 years we are hearing of a remarkable success story.
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston, Baildon says...
9:46am Tue 27 Nov 07
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calnedar month, so it's not that much different for being at school is it!!!!
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
phila9, Bradford says...
10:29am Tue 27 Nov 07
Diston wrote:I totally agree with your sentiments on Kirsty and what a strong person she must be to carry on. Many people would have given up. Though I fully sympathise, I don't think giving state benefits in such circumstances is what the benefits system is there for. I know of people in full time employment who earn £640 a month, Kirsty gets £433 per calned
I currently go to school with Kirsty and I think she is amazing to be able to go on with all that has been happening with her life. Just think about your life, she has £70 to spend on food, school stuff, bills and clothes. She doesn't get money from half sister at all, they can't afford to give her money. Shes a really strong girl not letting it affect her at all.
victor, outer limits says...
6:28am Tue 27 Nov 07