By Gabriel Princewill-
Elite universities must take into account some of the mitigating circumstances surrounding the academic performance of those from poor or disadvantaged backgrounds, the Office for Students has said .
Its comments comes as part of an elaboration to orders given to a handful of universities yesterday to increase is admission of pupils falling under that bracket by 6,000 in the next five years.
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OfS report uses a POLAR 4 to measure comparative regional deprivation- a measure that shows the participation rates of young people in higher education in various local areas and regions.
For example, using POLAR 4, only 7% of households in London are classed as being in the lowest 20% of the country, this equates to approximately 1.9% of young people in London.
Authorities of the London School Of Economics say under-representation in higher education is complex and needs the use of multiple metrics and information to address the problem. They plan to refine what they describe as their pre-existing ”comprehensive approach” further with new data available.
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IMPERATIVE
A spokesperson from the OFS explained to The Eye Of Media.Com that it is absolutely imperative for elite universities to provide opportunities to pupils whose full potential may have been blighted by circumstances out of their control.
”students take exams under very different circumstances and it is important that these universities take them into account and not be blind to them, the OFS said.
‘Students who have been in care for example, and have managed to get three B’s have been at a disadvantage compared to the student with three A’s from a private school who may also have a private tutor.
‘Students from poor backgrounds or families where there is domestic violence for example will be taking A level exams under comparatively weaker circumstances than children from stable homes and higher incomes. Universities should assess more on ability to perform than on grades alone”.
Asked whether the consideration should be extended to students with three D’s for example, the spokesperson said:
”it is for universities to determine the appropriate boundaries when determining which students may have the ability to perform well in a course. We are not suggesting they take on just any student from a disadvantaged background who may not be able to handle a course and drop out.
What we are saying is that they are more inclusive and accommodate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have done well but not necessarily met the all A’s or A star requirement to get in. Universities can also conduct interviews to assess suitability, so that way they get to talk to the students.”
The OfS report uses a POLAR 4 to measure comparative regional deprivation which have different reflections in London, where a large proportion of LSE students from Widening Participation backgrounds reside.
COMPLEX
An LSE representative said that under-representation in higher education is complex and needs ”the use of multiple metrics and information to address the problem”. They said that they undertake a comprehensive approach to targeting our work and will refine this further with new data available”.
The Office For Students are simply concerned for the London School Of Economics and all the other universities mentioned to fulfil their obligations of significantly narrowing the access gap between students from advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds in consistence with agreements they have already set out with the OFS.
COMMITTED
LSE says it is committed to widening access to higher education and seeks to attract the most capable students from a wide range of backgrounds. LSE Strategy 2030 maintains the commitment to diversifying the School’s intake from underrepresented groups by enhancing widening Participation programmes. LSE’s has an OfS Access and Participation Plan (APP) committed to widening participation for 2020 entry.
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