Private pupils classed as deprived

TEENAGERS from elite private schools are being counted as disadvantaged by the University of Edinburgh under an admissions policy aimed at hitting diversity targets.

Data show that more than one in 10 applications from fee-paying schools were recorded as being made by someone who had suffered deprivation. The finding raised further concerns that “social engineering” policies on Scottish campuses, which Nicola Sturgeon claimed as one of her proudest legacies, are not working owing to the arbitrary nature of how success is measured.

Scottish Labour said: “The approach taken by the government to widening access to universities is riddled with loopholes and this is among the worst examples we have seen.” The university said: “Our contextual admissions measures are founded on research, institutional modelling and insight.”