Education Maintenance Allowance and Skolfield–Whittier House: Difference between pages

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[[Image:PHS 003.jpg|thumb|right|The Skolfield-Whittier House]]The '''Skolfield-Whittier House''' is a museum of the Pejepscot Historical Society, located in [[Brunswick, Maine]]. It is often referred to as a "time capsule" because it has been virtually untouched since the Victorian era.
{{Cleanup|date=July 2007}}
[[Image:EMALogo.png|right|thumb|200px|EMA logo]]
'''Education Maintenance Allowance''' ('''EMA''') (Welsh: LWA or Lwfans Cynhaliaeth Addysg) is a financial scheme applicable to [[student]]s and those undertaking unpaid work-based learning in the [[United Kingdom]] aged between sixteen and nineteen whose parents have a certain income.<ref>[http://www.merton.gov.uk/learning/studentsupport.htm Student Support - Merton Council<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This applies to those doing, or applying to do, at least 12 hours of guided learning on [[further education]] courses in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and Further Education colleges. This includes a wide range of courses up to and including level 3, such as [[Advanced Level (UK)|A-levels]], [[GCSE]]s, [[GNVQ]]s, [[NVQ]]s and other vocational qualifications. Those partaking in an [[E2E]] (Entry to Emploment course, formerly known as Work based Learning) must do at least 16 hours a week of guided study. Any missed lessons except for extenuating circumstances voids payment for that week. As of 2008<ref>[http://www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp/ema/index.cfm?SectionID=1 EMA : Directgov - Education and learning<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, the weekly payment breaks down as such:
*£30 per week for those whose household income is under £20,817 p.a.;
*£20 per week for those whose household income is between £20,818 and £25,521 p.a.;
*£10 per week for those whose household income is between £25,522 and £30,810 p.a.


==The Skolfields==
Additionally, bonus payments of £100 or £150 are available to students who are in receipt of EMA. These bonuses are available in January and July of the first and second year. A total of £400 extra money can be claimed in bonus payments over a maximum period of three years.<ref>[http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/DG_066951 EMA - How much, how often]</ref>
The Skolfield-Whittier House is one half of an [[Italianate architecture|Italiante-style]] [[Duplex (building)|duplex]] built between 1858 and 1862 for the sons of wealthy shipbuilder '''Master George Skolfield''' (1780-1866). '''Alfred Skolfield''' (1815-1895) owned the side that is now known as the Skolfield-Whitter House, splitting the construction cost of $15,751.96 with his brother '''Samuel Skolfield''' (1826-1916), who owned and lived in the other side of the building (now used as the Pejepscot Historical Society headquarters).<ref>''Skolfield-Whittier House 2008 Tour Manual'', page 6. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.</ref>


In 1862 Alfred, his wife '''Martha Harward''' (1836-1904), and their young daughter '''Eugenie''' (1860-1951) moved into their new home. The family furnished the home with expensive furniture from [[Portland, Maine|Portland's]] Walter Corey Company, choosing a [[Rococo|Rococo Revival]] style (much of this furniture remains in the home today). Several of the rooms also feature [[Marble|marble]] fireplaces with [[Encaustic tile|encaustic tile]] and stylish [[Curtain|curtains]]. At this time the home was most likely lit by [[Gas lighting|gaslight]]. In 1864 Martha gave birth to a second daughter, '''Augusta Marie''' (1864-1902).<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 23-29. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>
==Benefits==


===Move to England===
The [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] claims the EMA scheme benefits greatly to teenagers from low-income households, encouraging people to stay in education past the legally required age of 16 (end of year 11; fourth year in Scotland). Once in education it encourages high attendance in return for bonuses. A 2006 [[BBC]] report suggested that even with the EMA, parents earning less than £30,000 a year still struggle to support teenagers enough to enable them to stay in education past 16.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4756088.stm BBC NEWS | Education | Parents struggle on teens' needs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In 1867, for reasons that are not entirely clear, Alfred moved his family to [[Liverpool]], [[England]]. It may be that political tensions developing during the [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction era]] were the motivation for the move, as the Skolfields were staunch [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] living in a region that was primarily [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. After relocating to England, they did not sell their Brunswick home, choosing instead to rent it out to several different people during their absence. In 1868, a Professor J.B. Sewall lived in the home, followed by Stephen O. Purington (1880-1882) and finally a Dr. Mitchell (1883-1885).<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 33-40. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>


===Return to Brunswick and Renovation of Home===
In tests done by 56 of the 150 local education authorities in 2004, the [[Institute for Fiscal Studies]] and [[Loughborough University]] found staying-on rates improved up 5.9 percentage points among those who were eligible.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3638739.stm Q&A: Payment for study]", BBC News, 19 April 2004. URL accessed on 27 June 2006.</ref> This effect was most pronounced amongst boys whose parents were unemployed or employed in unskilled or semi-skilled manual jobs, the group with lowest stay-on rates, and arguably facing the most social pressure to earn money and peer pressure that education is unimportant.{{fact}}
In 1885, after living abroad for 18 years, the Skolfields returned to their home and almost immediately began renovations. The [[Plumbing|plumbing]] was updated and the former [[Carriage house|carriage house]] was renovated and attached to the rest of the building. The new space served to house the relocated [[Kitchen|kitchen]], informal [[Dining room|dining room]], and [[Laundry room|laundry room]]. The former kitchen was converted and expanded to become a formal dining room, and the old dining room was renovated into a [[Drawing room|drawing room]].<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 48. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>


The influence of English style upon the Skolfields is apparent in the renovations made to the house a this time. The family purchased many new decorations for the home in England, including [[Carpet|carpets]], a [[Piano|piano]], a [[Thomas Chippendale|Chippendale]] wall bracket and several paintings by J.B. Smith, Spinks, Enser and Woolett. The Skolfields also updated their furniture by purchasing many pieces in the popular [[Eastlake Movement|Eastlake]] style. English influence led the Skolfields to separate the [[Bathtub|bathtub]] and [[Toilet|toilet]] added to the former carriage house into two separate rooms. In 1891 the home was wired for [[Electricity|electricty]] and circa 1894-1895 the home was connected to the new town [[Sanitary sewer|sewer lines]].<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 48-61. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>
A benefit not often mentioned by the government is that the EMA can be spent on goods or services for motivational purposes. It brings equality between teenagers of different income families to be able to spend money on personal items, therefore motivating to attend school, and to carry on with their education with a more equal quality of life experienced by those from 'better off' families. <ref>[http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR678.pdf Microsoft Word - RR678.doc<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==Criticisms==
==The Whittiers==
Alfred Skolfield died on June 1, 1895, but a new patriarch in the home would soon take his place. On June 24, Eugenie married '''Frank Whittier''' (1861-1924) in the drawing room, the most formal room of the house. Frank, a [[Bowdoin College]] graduate from [[Farmington (town), Maine|Farmington, Maine]], received his [[Doctor of Medicine|medical degree]] in 1889 and was appointed professor of [[Pathology]] and [[Microbiology|Bactierology]] at the Maine Medical School (a now-defunct school of Bowdoin College) in 1891.<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 62-66. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref> During his career, Frank also took on responsibilities as the first [[Coroner|medical examiner]] for [[Cumberland County, Maine|Cumberland County]], Brunswick [[Milk|milk]] inspector, and chairman of the Maine Medical Association's committee on [[Sexually transmitted disease|venereal diseases]]. He appears to have been the first to use a [[Serology|serology]] test (to distinguish human blood from that of other animals) in a [[Court|court of law]], as well as the first to develop a test for [[Ballistic fingerprinting|ballistic fingerprinting]].<ref>Dorman, Daniel M. ''A Matter of Life and Death; CSI Brunswick: The Forensic Work of Dr. Frank Whittier'', page 10-18. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.</ref>


Frank and Eugenie made few changes to the home. Frank added a [[Longcase clock|grandfather clock]] (believed to have been a Whittier family heirloom) to the [[Entrance Hall|entrance hall]], and circa 1910-1912 the couple moved their [[Bedroom|master bedroom]] to the former carriage house. The former master bedroom was converted into the current[[Library|library]].<ref>''Skolfield Whittier House 2008 Tour Manual'', page 7 & 21. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.</ref> By 1913 a telephone had been installed in the home.<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 113. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>
The system can be abused in some instances. For example, if a student's parents are divorced, and their parents' income came to £35,000 per year before the divorce, the student in question could live with their mother, who earns £17,500 p.a. Because they only live with their mother, the household income would be the mother's wages, and not the father's.{{fact}}


Eugenie and Frank had three daughters: '''Isabel''' (1896-1976), '''Alice''' (1898-1994) and '''Charlotte''' (1903-1912).<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 157. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref> Charlotte died at the age of 9 after accidently catching fire in the family kitchen.<ref>''Skolfield Whittier House 2008 Tour Manual'', page 14. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.</ref> Isabel and Alice both attended [[Bryn Mawr College]], graduating in 1920 and 1921, respectively. Isabel became a teacher at [[Brooklyn College]], where she taught for more than 30 years, and was a close friend of [[Margaret Chase Smith]] (there are many pictures of Smith scattered about the home). Meanwhile, Alice followed in her father's footsteps, setting up a practice in Portland to become Maine's first female [[Pediatrics|pediatrician]].<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 116-117. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>
Another such example is where a young person living with their mother who is unemployed or earning less than the the specified cut off point whilst also receiving alimony payments from her ex-husband.{{fact}}


After Frank's death in 1924, Eugenie took up a life of travel, and she and her daughters usually only spent summers at their Brunswick home. In 1982 Alice, the last living member of the family, donated the entire home and its contents to the Pejepscot Historical Society. The museum is open for guided tours during the summer.<ref> Hinkley, Marilyn J. ''The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925'', page 116-120. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.</ref>
Other abuses of the system include some applicants not declaring their parent's partner, in order to lower the house hold income. {{fact}}

The [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] have stated their opposition to EMA. Conservative Party spokesman [[Chris Grayling]] said: "This is another blatant example of the government trying to fiddle the figures. Bribing young people to sign up for courses they may not complete, might make ministers' targets look achievable - but they do absolutely nothing to help solve this country's chronic skills shortage."{{fact}}

== 2008 payment problems ==

It was reported that EMA are experiencing problems in 2008, when their computer systems and telephone lines are in technical difficulty. Liberata, EMA's administered company have reported that they have called for over 400 of their employees to process thousands of applications manually. They also warned that thousands of students in [[United Kingdom]] may not receive their allowance grants in time when they start [[further education]].
<ref>"[http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/aug/28/furthereducation.1419education Disruption delays to payment of education allowances possible]", ''The Guardian''. URL last accessed [[2008-08-28]].</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
<references/>

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp/ema/ EMA England]
*[http://www.emascotland.com/ EMA Scotland]
*[http://www.emawales.gov.uk/ EMA Wales]
*[http://www.emani.gov.uk/ EMA Northern Ireland]

[[Category:Education in the United Kingdom]]

Revision as of 15:29, 10 October 2008

The Skolfield-Whittier House

The Skolfield-Whittier House is a museum of the Pejepscot Historical Society, located in Brunswick, Maine. It is often referred to as a "time capsule" because it has been virtually untouched since the Victorian era.

The Skolfields

The Skolfield-Whittier House is one half of an Italiante-style duplex built between 1858 and 1862 for the sons of wealthy shipbuilder Master George Skolfield (1780-1866). Alfred Skolfield (1815-1895) owned the side that is now known as the Skolfield-Whitter House, splitting the construction cost of $15,751.96 with his brother Samuel Skolfield (1826-1916), who owned and lived in the other side of the building (now used as the Pejepscot Historical Society headquarters).[1]

In 1862 Alfred, his wife Martha Harward (1836-1904), and their young daughter Eugenie (1860-1951) moved into their new home. The family furnished the home with expensive furniture from Portland's Walter Corey Company, choosing a Rococo Revival style (much of this furniture remains in the home today). Several of the rooms also feature marble fireplaces with encaustic tile and stylish curtains. At this time the home was most likely lit by gaslight. In 1864 Martha gave birth to a second daughter, Augusta Marie (1864-1902).[2]

Move to England

In 1867, for reasons that are not entirely clear, Alfred moved his family to Liverpool, England. It may be that political tensions developing during the Reconstruction era were the motivation for the move, as the Skolfields were staunch Democrats living in a region that was primarily Republican. After relocating to England, they did not sell their Brunswick home, choosing instead to rent it out to several different people during their absence. In 1868, a Professor J.B. Sewall lived in the home, followed by Stephen O. Purington (1880-1882) and finally a Dr. Mitchell (1883-1885).[3]

Return to Brunswick and Renovation of Home

In 1885, after living abroad for 18 years, the Skolfields returned to their home and almost immediately began renovations. The plumbing was updated and the former carriage house was renovated and attached to the rest of the building. The new space served to house the relocated kitchen, informal dining room, and laundry room. The former kitchen was converted and expanded to become a formal dining room, and the old dining room was renovated into a drawing room.[4]

The influence of English style upon the Skolfields is apparent in the renovations made to the house a this time. The family purchased many new decorations for the home in England, including carpets, a piano, a Chippendale wall bracket and several paintings by J.B. Smith, Spinks, Enser and Woolett. The Skolfields also updated their furniture by purchasing many pieces in the popular Eastlake style. English influence led the Skolfields to separate the bathtub and toilet added to the former carriage house into two separate rooms. In 1891 the home was wired for electricty and circa 1894-1895 the home was connected to the new town sewer lines.[5]

The Whittiers

Alfred Skolfield died on June 1, 1895, but a new patriarch in the home would soon take his place. On June 24, Eugenie married Frank Whittier (1861-1924) in the drawing room, the most formal room of the house. Frank, a Bowdoin College graduate from Farmington, Maine, received his medical degree in 1889 and was appointed professor of Pathology and Bactierology at the Maine Medical School (a now-defunct school of Bowdoin College) in 1891.[6] During his career, Frank also took on responsibilities as the first medical examiner for Cumberland County, Brunswick milk inspector, and chairman of the Maine Medical Association's committee on venereal diseases. He appears to have been the first to use a serology test (to distinguish human blood from that of other animals) in a court of law, as well as the first to develop a test for ballistic fingerprinting.[7]

Frank and Eugenie made few changes to the home. Frank added a grandfather clock (believed to have been a Whittier family heirloom) to the entrance hall, and circa 1910-1912 the couple moved their master bedroom to the former carriage house. The former master bedroom was converted into the currentlibrary.[8] By 1913 a telephone had been installed in the home.[9]

Eugenie and Frank had three daughters: Isabel (1896-1976), Alice (1898-1994) and Charlotte (1903-1912).[10] Charlotte died at the age of 9 after accidently catching fire in the family kitchen.[11] Isabel and Alice both attended Bryn Mawr College, graduating in 1920 and 1921, respectively. Isabel became a teacher at Brooklyn College, where she taught for more than 30 years, and was a close friend of Margaret Chase Smith (there are many pictures of Smith scattered about the home). Meanwhile, Alice followed in her father's footsteps, setting up a practice in Portland to become Maine's first female pediatrician.[12]

After Frank's death in 1924, Eugenie took up a life of travel, and she and her daughters usually only spent summers at their Brunswick home. In 1982 Alice, the last living member of the family, donated the entire home and its contents to the Pejepscot Historical Society. The museum is open for guided tours during the summer.[13]

Notes

  1. ^ Skolfield-Whittier House 2008 Tour Manual, page 6. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.
  2. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 23-29. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  3. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 33-40. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  4. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 48. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  5. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 48-61. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  6. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 62-66. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  7. ^ Dorman, Daniel M. A Matter of Life and Death; CSI Brunswick: The Forensic Work of Dr. Frank Whittier, page 10-18. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.
  8. ^ Skolfield Whittier House 2008 Tour Manual, page 7 & 21. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.
  9. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 113. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  10. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 157. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  11. ^ Skolfield Whittier House 2008 Tour Manual, page 14. Pejepscot Historical Society, 2008.
  12. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 116-117. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
  13. ^ Hinkley, Marilyn J. The Skolfield-Whittier House and its Occupants, 1857-1925, page 116-120. Thesis, Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1983.
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