Applications to Queens' from students educated in the state sector made up 70% of the total for the first time this year, the Senior Tutor has announced.
Speaking at an Access Lunch held in Old Hall on Tuesday, Dr James Kelly recalled that when he was interviewed for his current role nine years ago, he had mentioned his ambition to increase the number of applications from state schools. "At the time they made up about 60% of the total, and there was some scepticism that that could be improved upon," he recalls. But an energetic focus on outreach, encouraging current students to visit schools which have not traditionally sent students to Oxford and Cambridge, to promote and demystify the idea, has had a significant impact.
Tuesday's lunch was an opportunity to thank students involved in access this year, from those who have participated in the Access Roadshow, to those who have helped to support interview candidates and visiting school groups.
In the current round, 70% of UK applicants were state educated, and 69.7% of offers made were to students educated at state schools.