Never does the disdain for state education become more apparent than when the conversation turns to Oxford and Cambridge admissions. Not from the distinguished universities themselves, mind you, who, despite what the media might have you believe, welcome all applicants regardless of their background. But from our political classes, particularly those on the left, who seem to believe state school pupils are so universally hopeless they can’t get in without demanding the universities lower the bar.
Politicians such as David Lammy, whose obsession with Oxbridge knows no bounds, demand changes to the Oxford and Cambridge admissions system – such as moving from collegiate to centralised admissions – because it is easier to place the burden on universities than accept the state education system needs to be overhauled (starting with a new generation of grammar schools).
But as the 1,683 state-educated pupils who were offered places at Oxford last year will no doubt tell you, the problem doesn’t lie with Oxbridge, who recognise aptitude when they see it.
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