MP Says 'Targets' For University Admissions Will Hit Local Schools

3.34.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 9th Nov 2004

Vincent Cable, MP, said that the new government initiative to set 'robust' targets for the admission of state school pupils in return for allowing universities to charge £3000 on top up fees was "corrupting; will undermine standards; will create a great sense of injustice over admissions; and will cause considerable difficulties for local independent schools and sixth form colleges".

He said that concerned parents had already contacted him, believing that they should remove their children from local independent schools to the sixth form college at Esher or the tertiary college in Twickenham to ensure that they are not discriminated against.

"I have been in touch with the Principal at Esher who assures me that he has not yet noticed any significant shift and I have challenged Charles Clark in parliament to give an assurance that no quotas will apply. But it is quite iniquitous deliberately to introduce doubt in the minds of pupils, parents and teachers that their achievements will be overridden by a potentially over complicated admissions process in the leading universities".