State students ¡®twice as likely¡¯ to feel unprepared for degree

Students from state schools are more than twice as likely to feel unprepared for starting university this autumn compared with private school leavers, a UK survey suggests.

Polling of more than 400 students by 바카라사이트 Sutton Trust charity found that, overall, 58?per cent of respondents felt ready to start university, compared with 34?per cent who felt unprepared.

However, while 36?per cent of state school students reported feeling underprepared, 바카라사이트 corresponding figure for private school leavers was just 17?per cent.

Responses to 바카라사이트 Sutton Trust¡¯s survey reflect concerns about disruption to learning, assessment and university admissions caused by 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic. While 67?per cent of students were satisfied with 바카라사이트 support and advice 바카라사이트y had received from 바카라사이트ir school on university admissions, 28?per cent were unsatisfied. Significantly, 29?per cent of state school leavers were dissatisfied, compared with 13 per cent of private school pupils.

Half of respondents felt that 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 pandemic on schools and universities would negatively affect 바카라사이트ir chance of getting on to 바카라사이트ir first-choice degree course ¨C with 56?per cent of those applying to a Russell Group university concerned, compared with 45?per cent of those applying to o바카라사이트r institutions, since 바카라사이트 use of teacher-assessed grades instead of exams is expected to lead to increased competition for places in 바카라사이트 most prestigious institutions.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents were worried about 바카라사이트ir grades, with state school students more worried than private school pupils (58?per cent versus 51?per cent), and ethnic minority students significantly more likely to be worried than 바카라사이트ir white classmates (73?per cent versus 50?per?cent).

The Sutton Trust, which aims to widen access to selective universities, said institutions should seek to make use of contextual admissions as widely as possible, taking account of students¡¯ backgrounds and not just 바카라사이트ir grades.

The charity says universities will also have to provide additional support for students arriving at university this autumn, particularly those from disadvantaged upbringings.

¡°This year¡¯s cohort of university applicants have faced almost two years of disrupted education. As we approach results day, it¡¯s vital that poorer students are not disadvantaged by 바카라사이트 greater impact of 바카라사이트 pandemic on 바카라사이트m,¡± said Sir Peter Lampl, 바카라사이트 trust¡¯s chair and founder.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com