Oxbridge actively targeting private school pupils

[mumsqna]

Read in the telegraph this week that oxbridge and some other top unis are actively trying to reduce the number of private school students they give offers to.

Right now it’s 72% to state and 28% private schools in Cambridge. I personally think it’s should be about 65% to 35%. After decades of free education there can’t be that many children in this country that are very bright that can realistically be classed as ‘disadvantaged’ imo. Most should be in homes that are the top 20% of household incomes for their region. Most of bright but disadvantage should be ethnic minorities coming from immigrant households.

I’m quite annoyed by this, it feels like some academics trying to force you into the state system. So put off I’ve just decided that they can fuck off as there are universities around the world.

like my drive to work comes from wanting to give my children the best education available in the world. Just feeling deflated.

Yes I agree. And I'm quite sure that DC would have got 'good enough' grades in a grammar. It definitely wouldn't be worth the money if we were looking for academic advantage.

Saracenne, were your DC educated privately? If so, what made it worth the money if not better academic provision?

State primary, private secondary. It's a combination of things rather than any one killer reason. Best state options are single sex, we wanted mixed sex. A longer and more flexible school day that means we can do the jobs we love without feeling guilty that DC are either on their own a lot or miss out on activities (school transport is woeful where we live). Really, really good classical music provision and facilities, esp choral (one state school is also particularly good, but the catchment is tiny and we'd never have got in). Good language choice (modern and classical) and high take-up right up to 18. Lots of sport, not because the DC are v sporty but because they're not - we wanted to make sure they stay very active without having to want to do sport outside school. Not necessarily better teaching, but more stable teaching - cover lessons very rare and always taught by subject specialists. Freedom from government control, so no ideological vacillations or stupid jargon. Not too much homework or assessment (compared with reports from friends in grammar). And honestly, just general resource - lots of books, tech that works, well-equipped classrooms, amazing sports/music/drama facilities, lovely grounds, great food. It just makes for a very enjoyable and enriching school experience. (NB I realise that some of those reasons are academic, but not in the sense of 'I want my DC to get more A stars and become doctors'.)

Ah yes I see what you mean, so there is academic advantage, but other things are important as well, thanks for explaining.

www.spectator.co.uk/article/cambridge-university-is-blind-to-reality-in-the-gender-debate/

Doesn't really inspire does it anymore?

The prohibition of objective reality is a bit of a worry, yes.

This social engineering only creates mediocrity. Rather let the bright minds get in irrespective of the background. Let the entrance criteria and evaluation look beyond just the marks and looks into possibilities. In that way its a fair game for all.

I was clever and went to a shitty comp. I was a straight a student but so much of that was down to me not the school. My niece and nephew are clever and go to academically selective private schools. One is naturally gifted but lazy, one is bright but worked bloody hard. I think their path has been significantly easier and more enjoyable than my one was was purely because of the cohort, the aspirations of their peers, the opportunities etc.

When I went for my Oxford interview I was totally overwhelmed, felt completely out of my depth in the environment. I was just as clever as most of those who got in but I needed my undergraduate years to build my confidence so I could compete at grad scheme level.

If I can i will send my children private for the experience. However, I will have the self awareness to know how much advantage that brings and that a deprived kid getting 3 As from a sink school will probably deserve a place much more than my kids even if they get 6 thousand A*s.