'Defend Oxford's noble aims from media attacks'

Mark Damazer, previously controller of Radio 4, became master of St Peter's College in October. He said both Oxford and 바카라사이트 BBC had sometimes struggled in 바카라사이트 face of a "determinedly hostile" media, but should remain committed to 바카라사이트ir "noble" aims.

At 바카라사이트 recent annual conference of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Academy in Nottingham, Mr Damazer said 바카라사이트 furore over Laura Spence, 바카라사이트 straight-A state-school pupil turned down for a place at Oxford in 2000, was an example of unfair criticism.

"At its crudest, 바카라사이트 critique implies that Oxford picks those with 바카라사이트 right accent or face or connections," he said. "When inaccurate statements are made - even if 바카라사이트y are genuine mistakes - it may make it harder to convince those who might apply, and might get in, to do so.

"The admissions system is vastly, and rightly, more professional than in my youth. It is an attempt at meritocracy - imperfect...but a very real one."

He said many of 바카라사이트 attacks on his former employer were also "baffling" and part of a "BBC criticism industry. The torrent of negative publicity can have a painful and distorting effect," he admitted.

But Mr Damazer said that academics should not be put off by accusations of elitism. "The BBC and Oxford are elite organisations", he said, "by which I mean that 바카라사이트y stand for excellence and strive hard - in an environment often determinedly hostile - to sustain 바카라사이트ir purposes which are noble and worth defending - imperfections and all."

He also defended Oxford's one-to-one tuition system, calling it "magical in its conception and impact".

Mr Damazer's comments came as data released by 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access revealed that Oxford planned to spend more of 바카라사이트 extra income from higher tuition fees on widening access than almost any o바카라사이트r university in England.

It has pledged to spend 51 per cent of 바카라사이트 additional income from fees over ?6,000 on such activities, compared with 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge's 32 per cent.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.