Private School Dominance of Universities Set to Continue

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is already showing concerns over the disproportionate numbers of students from relatively affluent backgrounds gaining university places. He recently voiced his ambition to promote greater social mobility in terms of education.

This year, a record 379,411 applicants gained entry to a university or college, while approximately 170,000 are expected to miss out on a place due to the unprecedented levels of competition being faced by school leavers.

Whilst many believed the introduction of the A* grade to be a beneficial means of identifying the brightest pupils, others see it as a further strategy for the continued dominance of private school students, who tend to achieve a higher percentage of the A* standard.

Many blame the universities for utilising the relatively new grading system as the sole means of determining the "best" pupils, foregoing the personal interviews aimed at the recognition of well-rounded and motivated individuals. By adhering to such convenient criteria, universities are being accused of encouraging the conveyor belt from private school to university.

In the latest examinations, private school students, who made up approximately 14% of all entries, accounted for 30% of the total number of A* grades awarded. By comparison, 30% of students from comprehensive or state schools also achieved the A*, but accounted for 43% of the exam entries.

The "social apartheid", a term used by Nick Clegg, has been a long standing issue within education, with private schools tending to dominate the top grade spectrum, and the subsequent allocation of university places.

This is not only the case in England, but in Scotland as well. This dividing element of private vs state is equally as notable north of the border, with private schools in Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Stirling contributing to the disproportionate educational landscape in Scotland.

However, there are a significantly reduced number of universities utilising the A* grade in their admission process, with Cambridge and Oxford amongst those ignoring the grade as an invaluable marker of superior academic ability. It is thought that only 13 universities have referred to the A* standard this year in their allocation of places.

For many students looking to secure a university place, the adoption or dismissal of the A* could make or break any hopes of further education, for this year at least.

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