State school students ‘get better degrees’ than private school pupils with same A-levels

The figures, based on the degree results of all students who graduated in 2013/14, show that 82 per cent of state school pupils got firsts or upper seconds compared with just 73 per cent of those from independent schools.  State school students who scored two Bs and a C at A-level did on average eight per cent better at degree level than their privately educated counterparts.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust – the charity which campaigns for equal access to education, said the research backed up calls for more to be done to ensure  state school students – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – were properly represented at university.

“The fact that they are more likely to get a better degree than their private school peers shows how important it is to improve access to help able young people fulfil their potential,” he added.

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