Increasingly, universities rely on A-level grades as indicators of potential. Yet there is a poor correlation between grades and success at universities. The admissions process needs a thorough overhaul. Finding the best way of properly representing applicants from less privileged backgrounds should be an important part of such a review. All good wishes, John Dunford General Secretary, Secondary Heads Association Dear John, As the son of a Billingsgate fish porter, I care passionately about equality of opportunity.
Higher education is higher because it builds on what has been achieved.
Students must have the capacity to benefit. The most appropriate place to intervene is in early education, which currently exaggerates the circumstances of birth. Pressuring universities to fill social quotas is wrong. Some students are patronised, others done out of their rightful places, and universities are deflected from seeking out excellence. I admired what you achieved as a head teacher.