Cambridge University College Under Fire Over 'Immoral' Private School Recruitment Drive
Critics are calling on Trinity Hall, a prestigious college at Cambridge University, to scrap its new recruitment drive targeting students from elite private schools. The policy, which aims to encourage applications from these schools in an effort to improve the "quality" of recruits, has been deemed damaging and offensive by leading social mobility charities.
The move has sparked outrage among state-educated students and their supporters, who claim that the college's efforts are a step backwards for equality. Alastair Campbell, former Downing Street director of communications under Tony Blair, said the policy is "a total departure from reality" and suggests that the college wants to reverse the progress made in increasing social mobility.
The 93% Club, a network representing UK state-educated students, has withdrawn alumni-funding donations until the policy is reversed. Chief executive Sophie Pender described the decision as "immoral and dangerous." The Sutton Trust, a charity aiming to boost UK social mobility through education, also called for the policy to be dropped, citing concerns that it limits opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Trinity Hall's master, Mary Hockaday, responded to criticism by stating that there has been no change to the admissions policy and that the college continues to work hard to support and attract students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, critics argue that the college should be doing more to address the issue of social inequality in education.
Jess Staufenberg, co-founder of the Private Education Policy Forum, questioned why Trinity Hall needs a specific recruitment policy for private schools when there is no evidence that these schools need encouragement to apply to Cambridge. She also suggested that the college could use its endowment funds to track down and find talented students from deprived communities.
The move has highlighted the ongoing issue of social inequality in education, with critics arguing that elite institutions like Cambridge University should be doing more to address this problem. As one alumni put it, "This is clearly an attempt to recruit more wealthy students to boost Trinity Hall's base of alumni with deep pockets."
Critics are calling on Trinity Hall, a prestigious college at Cambridge University, to scrap its new recruitment drive targeting students from elite private schools. The policy, which aims to encourage applications from these schools in an effort to improve the "quality" of recruits, has been deemed damaging and offensive by leading social mobility charities.
The move has sparked outrage among state-educated students and their supporters, who claim that the college's efforts are a step backwards for equality. Alastair Campbell, former Downing Street director of communications under Tony Blair, said the policy is "a total departure from reality" and suggests that the college wants to reverse the progress made in increasing social mobility.
The 93% Club, a network representing UK state-educated students, has withdrawn alumni-funding donations until the policy is reversed. Chief executive Sophie Pender described the decision as "immoral and dangerous." The Sutton Trust, a charity aiming to boost UK social mobility through education, also called for the policy to be dropped, citing concerns that it limits opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Trinity Hall's master, Mary Hockaday, responded to criticism by stating that there has been no change to the admissions policy and that the college continues to work hard to support and attract students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, critics argue that the college should be doing more to address the issue of social inequality in education.
Jess Staufenberg, co-founder of the Private Education Policy Forum, questioned why Trinity Hall needs a specific recruitment policy for private schools when there is no evidence that these schools need encouragement to apply to Cambridge. She also suggested that the college could use its endowment funds to track down and find talented students from deprived communities.
The move has highlighted the ongoing issue of social inequality in education, with critics arguing that elite institutions like Cambridge University should be doing more to address this problem. As one alumni put it, "This is clearly an attempt to recruit more wealthy students to boost Trinity Hall's base of alumni with deep pockets."
I mean, who wants to limit opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds just because their parents have a fat wallet? 
It's like, hello, education should be for everyone, not just the privileged few. 
I think it's a huge step backwards for equality and social mobility. We need more initiatives that support underprivileged students, not ones that cater to the rich kids. 
And what's with the criticism from Alastair Campbell? He's totally right on this one! 
The 93% Club and Sutton Trust are also doing the right thing by pulling their funding donations until the policy changes. 
... seems like they're trying to help out the rich kids from private schools but meanwhile the state-ed kids are getting left behind 
. i mean, shouldn't they be making it easier for people from all backgrounds to get in? it's just not fair that some colleges are catering specifically to private school students. and yeah, 93% club withdrawing donations is a big deal... it shows how serious this issue is 
.
. Who needs diversity when you can have wealthy alumni donors? 
i'm literally shook by this news... think cambridge uni should just open its doors to all qualified students regardless of background, period 
anyone with even a basic understanding of equality knows that you can't just create a more "elite" group by hand-picking students from rich families 
I'm calling foul. Something fishy is going on here 
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. I mean, what about all the talented people who aren't from super wealthy families? Don't they deserve a chance too?
they're so quick 2 judge another institution 4 trying 2 promote diversity & inclusion... i mean, come on we all know how hard it is 2 get into cambridge regardless of ur background. and yeah, the private school recruitment drive might seem a bit dodgy but at least they're tryin'