Industry News
Independent schools target Oxbridge
Posted on 16th July 2007
A selection of independent schools in the UK are seeking to increase the number of pupils that eventually enter leading universities after leaving school, hoping to make these institutions more accessible overall.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that the most successful schools on the whole are sending pupils to leading universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, with a rising number of pupils gaining places at leading institutions, reports the Times.
A number of universities have recently announced the reduction of places open to independent school students, sparking concern over the likelihood of these pupils to enter top universities.
According to reports many headteachers agree that some well-performing schools are becoming deliberately more selective on an academic basis, ultimately increasing the number of placements at leading universities.
Sam Freedman, head of research at the Independent Schools Council, argues that smaller schools do not necessarily prioritise Oxbridge universities in this way.
"For small schools it’s not a key part of their business to get people into the top universities," she told the newspaper.
Last month the Economic Research Council made calls for schools to be privately financed with a view to effecting positive change in their running.