Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that at some universities, the proportion of pupils from poor socio-economic backgrounds has declined over the past five years.  Dr Lee Elliot Major, Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, said: 

“It is good to see that the proportion state school students entering top universities has risen over the past decade. However it is worrying that the access gap between those from poorer backgrounds and their more advantaged peer has actually widened at some universities.

“Today’s figures tell us that we need renewed and concerted efforts from government, schools and universities alike to improve participation rates for the poorest students. We need to see much better co-ordination of access work – and better information for schools – if we are to see significant improvements in the numbers of less advantaged young people going to top universities.”

 

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