Why Oxbridge is still a mystery to state pupils

SIR – Our grandson has just been turned down by Oxford after interview.

As proud grandparents, we thought he ticked all the boxes: 12 A*s at GCSE, four As at As-level. He is hard-working and eager to learn.

He has had his heart set on going to Oxford for a long time (all his own idea). He has always been passionate about English literature, and has had his head in a book since he was small. He can also speak up for himself and express himself articulately – so when he got the interview, we thought it was a foregone conclusion.

How did he fall down? It is difficult to tell, as the college where he was interviewed does not give feedback, though Oxford University’s website says that it does. Apparently, however, he did not score well enough on the English Literature Admissions Test (Elat).

He had never heard of the Elat until he was introduced to it at a summer school for state-educated Oxbridge candidates, run by Eton and funded by the Sutton Trust. He had found out about this for himself and told his school, which then backed his application.

After that, he practised the tests, completing every one he could find, but had no help or guidance from his school, so no way of knowing if he was doing them right. However, he learnt from other pupils at the summer school that some state schools do give help with this.

Pupils like my grandson are therefore having to compete with private and public school pupils who have been coached, as well as with state pupils whose schools offer preparation for Oxford and Cambridge.

I know my grandson is not alone – and am grateful to Graham Norton (Saturday, January 20) for his advice to someone in the same boat – but that does not stop the bitter disappointment that he feels.

Despite what these universities may say about opening their doors to all pupils, there does not appear to be a level playing field. Offers, it seems, are not based on academic achievement but on the interview and entrance exam, for which a minority have access to coaching and specialist teaching.

Veronica Tucker

Peatling Magna, Leicestershire