LONDON (AFP) — Teachers? misconceptions might be preventing bright state-educated pupils from applying to Oxford and Cambridge University, according to a survey for an educational charity.
An Ipsos MORI survey for the Sutton Trust questioned 500 secondary school teachers in England and Wales, and found that 45 percent said they would "never" or "rarely" recommend their brightest students to apply to Oxbridge.
When asked what percentage of students at Oxbridge came from the state sector, 91 percent of teachers underestimated the representation of state school pupils -- the charity says that between 51 percent and 60 percent of Oxbridge students come from state schools.
Another mistaken belief held by 56 percent of those polled was that it was more expensive to study at Oxford or Cambridge, although the Sutton Trust points out that they charge the same tuition fees as most other universities.
Sutton Trust chairman Peter Lampl said: "The misconceptions among secondary school teachers about Oxbridge are alarming and clearly have an impact on the number of bright state school students applying to these two great universities, despite the considerable efforts that both are making to reach out to them."
He added:"It is clear that much more needs to be done to dispel the myths about Oxbridge and other leading universities, and to ensure that young people?s higher education decisions are based on fact not fiction."
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