Headteachers demand clarity on selection

Independent school heads are demanding further clarity on how universities select students.

A statement issued yesterday by four independent schools' heads'

associations says: "No government should decide, either directly or indirectly, who goes to which university. Nor should it appear to undermine the work of schools, whether maintained or independent.

"There is widespread confusion about the weight given in university admissions to considerations of socioeconomic background, postcode and type of school attended. This confusion appears to extend to the universities themselves. We consider it essential that the government should make it absolutely clear how it believes these factors should be assessed and implemented."