Cambridge college Trinity Hall to target elite private schools for recruitment

Trinity Hall at Cambridge has approved a policy to approach a small number of elite private schools to encourage applications in certain subjects, and the move has prompted objections from some college academics and social mobility experts.

Trinity Hall college at the University of Cambridge has approved a new admissions approach that involves actively reaching out to a small group of elite private schools to encourage applications in subjects such as languages, music and classics. Fellows approved the policy last month, and the college’s admissions director outlined reasons for focusing on those schools. Some academics within the college and experts on social mobility have criticised the change as harmful to the college’s widening-participation efforts. The college’s spokesperson said the initiative is intended to identify students with high academic potential and that its access work continues. What is known: - Fellows at Trinity Hall approved a policy to target a limited set of independent schools, including named elite institutions, as part of a targeted recruitment strategy. - Several college academics and social mobility experts expressed opposition, saying the move could undermine outreach to state-educated and disadvantaged students. - Trinity Hall’s spokesperson reiterated the college’s stated commitment to admitting students regardless of background and said the initiative is aimed at particular subjects and applicants from various school types. Summary: The decision has prompted debate about how the college balances outreach to underrepresented groups with targeted recruitment of applicants from private schools, and it has drawn public comment from academics and external experts. Undetermined at this time.