Trinity Hall's New Policy Sparks Access Debate

Trinity Hall, a Cambridge college, has approved a new policy to specifically approach around 50 elite private schools, including St Paul's Girls, Eton, and Winchester. This strategy, aimed at enhancing the "quality" of applicants for subjects like languages and classics, has drawn sharp criticism from social mobility experts and internal academics. Critics describe the policy as "a slap in the face" to state-educated students and a potential return to an exclusive "boys' club culture."

College admissions director Marcus Tomalin defended the policy, stating that students from these schools arrive with advanced expertise aligned with Cambridge's intellectual demands. He also raised concerns about "reverse discrimination," suggesting that focusing solely on widening participation might overlook exceptionally qualified privately educated students, some of whom receive full bursaries. However, recent research indicates private schools allocate only a small fraction of their income to bursaries.