College awarded £20k for disadvantaged students

Birmingham Metropolitan College which has campuses in Great Barr, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Kidderminster has received the cash from the National Express Foundation.

The grant can be used to help young people with the cost of travel, books and specialised clothing.

Principal Andrew Cleaves said the money would be a huge benefit to students.

He added: "I'm delighted that Birmingham Metropolitan College has been successful in its bid for the Student Bursaries Programme.

"Any additional financial support for students whilst studying is a bonus and will help students to realise their goals as well as assisting families who are endeavouring to support them.

"It's wonderful to see one of our major, local employers contributing assistance in this way and we're looking forward to continuing to work with the Foundation to deliver a successful programme."

The National Express Foundation, set up to help disadvantaged young people, is providing £100,000 this year to assist young progress to higher education or enjoy new activities, equipment and training at colleges across the region.

James Donnan from the National Express Foundation, said: "The Foundation seeks to help young people from challenging backgrounds to succeed in life. We know a modest amount of financial help can make a huge difference to bursary recipients, enabling them to progress their studies and further their ambitions."

The National Express Foundation was launched in May 2012 and is a registered charity. The Bursary Programme has already benefited students across the West Midlands with a variety of assistance including help with travel costs, books and specialised clothing and uniforms.

This week Birmingham Metropolitan College has announced expansion programmes for two of its sites.

Around £8.5 million will be spent revamping the James Watt Campus in Great Barr to create new space for courses and to boost student numbers.

Around £2.9m of the money going into the project is grant funded by the Skills Funding Agency and will go towards the creation a new reception area, hall and learning resources centre with improved access and will provide enhanced study centres and working spaces.

A further £1.5 million will be spent on on improvements at its campus in Hagley Road, Stourbridge which is already undergoing a major revamp.

Work is already well underway on a £5 million scheme to modernise the campus in Oldswinford, parts of which date back 60 years.

New funding has been secured from government body, the Skills Funding Agency, after a bid by college bosses.

There will also be improved classrooms and staff rooms as well as a new engineering block and a refectory.