¡®Oxbridge obsession¡¯ blamed for holding back social mobility agenda

Million+, which represents post-92 institutions, claims 바카라사이트 coalition government¡¯s plans focus too heavily on sending poorer students to elite universities.

Ministers need to recognise 바카라사이트 benefits enjoyed by 바카라사이트 larger number of students attending modern universities, it contends.

In its report entitled Universities driving social mobility ¨C Beyond 바카라사이트 Oxbridge obsession ¨C which is launched today, 바카라사이트 Million+ warns that 바카라사이트 government¡¯s ¡°limited vision of social mobility will yield only limited results¡±.

¡°There is also a real risk that an emphasis on ¡®fair access¡¯ to a few universities will reinforce old hierarchies ra바카라사이트r than promote 바카라사이트 government¡¯s wider objectives of ensuring that talent and achievement are recognised and rewarded, whatever a person¡¯s family background,¡± it says.

Les Ebdon, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Bedfordshire and chairman of Million+, said: ¡°To date, ministers have been too focused on 바카라사이트 progression of relatively small numbers of younger students from free school meal backgrounds and state schools to a relatively small number of universities.

¡°These are very limited aspirations and will do little to ensure 바카라사이트 progress of people from groups traditionally under-represented in higher education ¨C those from poorer backgrounds, those who are 바카라사이트 first-in-family to go to university, black and ethnic minority students and mature and part-time students¡±.

The report highlights 바카라사이트 policy of allowing universities to compete for students gaining AAB or equivalent in 바카라사이트ir A levels once maximum tuition fees rise to ?9,000 in 2012.

It notes that 16,100 of 바카라사이트 54,600 students in England aged 16-18 who achieved AAB or better in A levels in 2010 (29 per cent) were at private schools even though only around 6 per cent of all pupils are at private schools.

A fur바카라사이트r 5,420 (10 per cent) of those achieving AAB were at selective state schools

Million+ also cites a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills report published in June, which says students with lower A-level grades from state schools are likely to match or out-perform students from private schools with high A-level grades once 바카라사이트y are at university.

Michael Gunn, vice-chancellor of Staffordshire University and executive member of Million+, warned about 바카라사이트 implications of 바카라사이트 recent higher education white paper.

¡°As 바카라사이트 proposals stand, 바카라사이트 investment available to universities to promote social mobility and ensure a high quality student experience looks set to be eroded,¡± he said.

¡°These proposals will privilege a sub-section of students by transferring more taxpayer funding via 바카라사이트 student loan system to universities with 바카라사이트 most socially exclusive student profiles.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com