Eight schools send as many pupils to Oxbridge as three-quarters of all schools

Eight schools and colleges sent as many pupils to Oxford or Cambridge over three years as three-quarters (2,900) of all schools and colleges, according to a report from the Sutton Trust.

Responding to the 'Access to Advantage' report, which also found high-flying pupils from state schools were less likely to apply Oxbridge, UCU said that universities should make better use of contextual data in the admissions process. The union also said that students needed better advice and guidance when applying to university.

UCU head of policy and campaigns Matt Waddup said: 'If we are to ensure young people are given the best chance of fulfilling their potential then we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to help them. Universities need to help students from backgrounds and schools that don't traditionally apply to some universities by looking at contextual data.

'We must ensure that students are getting the very best advice and guidance at school. This report demonstrates that many talented youngsters will never get into some universities simply because nobody is pushing them to consider applying to them.'