A SCHEME to encourage pupils to continue studying after school is paying off.

More than 2,600 school leavers in Bolton have received payments as an incentive to go into higher education.

The education maintenance allowance (EMA) allows school leavers who continue in training or further education at the age of 16 to claim up to £30 a week, provided that they live in a household with an income of up to £30,000.

The money is paid directly into bank accounts on condition that courses are regularly attended. More than 380,000 students across England have received the allowance, 2,637 of those being from Bolton.

According to the Government, the initiative encouraged more young people to participate in further education last year than would have done before the policy was introduced in 2004.

Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support at the Learning and Skills Council, which operates the scheme, said: We are extremely pleased that more than 380,000 students are receiving the education maintenance allowance, many of whom would not have had the means to continue in education or training after their GCSEs. We expect this number to increase throughout 2006.

The education maintenance allowance is available at colleges, schools and sixth form centres for students who wish to study GCSE retakes, vocational or academic courses.

Application forms can be picked up from schools, colleges and Connexions centres, or by logging onto: www.direct.gov.uk/ema