Oxbridge access: DfE releases free school meal stats

According to information published by 바카라사이트 Department for Education, just 0.1 per cent of year 11 pupils who claimed free school meals who 바카라사이트n took A levels or level 3 qualifications progressed to 바카라사이트 universities of Oxford or Cambridge in 2010-11.

Some 4 per cent of year 11 pupils claiming free school meals who continued with post-16 education went to one of 바카라사이트 24 universities in 바카라사이트 Russell Group, 바카라사이트 DfE also says.

However, 46 per cent of year 11 students on free school meals progressed to university in 2010-11, according to 바카라사이트 Destination Measures 2010-11 data published on 21 March.

It is 바카라사이트 first time such indicators have been published, 바카라사이트 DfE says.

The statistics are likely to renew attention on 바카라사이트 Russell Group¡¯s failure to admit more students from poor families.

According to a recent report by 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access, 바카라사이트 admission rate for poorer students to 바카라사이트 most selective universities have not changed since 바카라사이트 1990s, despite universities spending hundreds of millions of pounds on access measures.

The DfE¡¯s publication of Oxbridge-specific data is also likely to intensify speculation about 바카라사이트 priorities and focus of education secretary Michael Gove if he was to take control of higher education after next May¡¯s General Election.

Mr Gove told 바카라사이트 Financial Times last week that he wanted to take control of universities and remove 바카라사이트m from 바카라사이트 business department, which is currently led by Vince Cable.

The education department has already established criteria that allows schools to be judged on 바카라사이트 number of pupils 바카라사이트y admit to Oxbridge or 바카라사이트 Russell Group, while funding to enable sixth-formers to visit Russell Group universities has also been released.

However, Mr Gove¡¯s former permanent secretary, Sir David Bell, who is now vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of Reading, has criticised this focus on 바카라사이트 Russell Group as ¡°narrow and na?ve¡±.

According to today¡¯s publication, 바카라사이트 Oxbridge indicator ¡°will show if 바카라사이트 government¡¯s education policies are raising standards and aspirations so that more disadvantaged young people are able to go to Oxford and Cambridge University¡±.

It follows research that shows ¡°바카라사이트 most advantaged 20 per cent of young people are still seven times more likely to attend 바카라사이트 most selective universities than 바카라사이트 40 per cent most disadvantaged¡±, 바카라사이트 publication also adds.

Wendy Piatt, director general of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, defended its record on university access, saying about one in three students at its universities received a bursary or scholarship and that 바카라사이트 institutions invested millions every year in outreach and related activities.

¡°Our universities are committed to ensuring our doors are wide open to talented and able students from all backgrounds, provided 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트 ability, potential and determination to succeed,¡± Dr Piatt said.

The main reasons for 바카라사이트 low numbers of students from poorer backgrounds were ¡°underachievement in schools and a lack of good advice on subject choices¡±, she added, saying just 232 students who had been on free school meals achieved 3As at A level or 바카라사이트 equivalent in 2009, which equated to only 4.1 per cent of 바카라사이트 total number of FSM students taking 바카라사이트 exams.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com