THE lasting appeal of grammar schools is the perception that the brightest students were able to flourish when taught within an environment that sought to mimic the ethos of the country’s top public schools.

For those pupils, nothing is too good, and no challenge too great.

As we enter the new academic year — with a national debate about whether the above is true as a background — many 17- and 18-year-olds in Bolton will be considering whether or where to apply to university in the coming year. They should be encouraged to aim high. 

Being involved in ‘access’ schemes in Oxford, which aim to boost attendance from those educated in the state sector or from disadvantaged backgrounds, it is frustrating to note that part of the reason state-school and Northern students are under-represented is that they are simply not applying in the first place. 

One school is making 10 times the number of applications to Oxford a year than the entire town of Bolton. 
In 2015, only 14 applications to the University of Oxford came from schools in Bolton, and 12 of these from Bolton School. 

Boys from the independent Eton College, by contrast, made 145 applications. Granted, a lot of students travel outside of the town to large colleges such as Runshaw or Winstanley for further study, but even their application figures are low. 

There are potential Oxbridge and Russell Group applicants in our town who, for whatever reason, are being put off applying. 

If readers are considering making an application, they should have a punt! If they have a family member or friend who is wondering whether to apply, they should encourage them to do so. 

There are five spaces on a UCAS application form, so those who are unsuccessful do not lose much at all.

If they are unsure if the Oxbridge experience is for them, they should apply anyway. 

It’s a long time between the October 15 deadline and having to take up a place, so if they get an offer and decide later to reject it, then the consolation prize is bragging rights for life. 

Sam Slater
BL6 
Exeter College
Oxford