The Master of a historic Cambridge college has issued a public apology and a firm defence of its admissions policy, following controversy over an internal memo suggesting it would target elite private schools for student recruitment.
Apology and Clarification from the Master
Mary Hockaday, Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, expressed regret for the distress and anger caused by the wording of an internal document referenced in a Guardian article on 7 January. She stated the college has reflected deeply on the matter. However, she was unequivocal in setting the record straight: Trinity Hall has not changed its admissions policy or its commitment to widening participation.
"We do not confuse opportunity with ability," Hockaday wrote, emphasising that the college's admissions team is highly skilled at assessing academic potential within the context of a student's background and schooling. She pointed out that the institution's top-performing undergraduates come from every part of the country, every type of school, and every background.
The Data Behind the Commitment
The college provided concrete data to support its stance on social mobility. On average over the past three years, 73% of Trinity Hall's domestic undergraduates have come from state schools. This marks a significant increase from 61% a decade ago. Furthermore, more than 20% of its students are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Context of the Controversial Outreach Plan
Hockaday explained that the action mentioned in the internal memo relates specifically to a handful of humanities subjects where application numbers are declining across the higher education sector. She noted that part of this decline is due to reduced access to relevant A-level subjects in many state schools.
The proposed measure involves adding a small number of independent schools to a mailing list of over a thousand state schools. This list is used to advertise the college's outreach initiatives, which include online Q&A sessions and informative podcasts about these under-subscribed subjects.
"We understand why the language used in the memo has caused upset," Hockaday conceded, "but it does not reflect our continuing commitment to offering places to students with the potential to thrive." She concluded by reaffirming the college's pride in supporting opportunity across the nation and stated that its commitment to its students and its principles remains steadfast.
