The Master of a Cambridge college has issued a public apology and clarification after an internal memo caused significant distress and anger over its perceived admissions direction.
College Master Apologises for Memo Language
Mary Hockaday, the Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, expressed regret for the upset caused by the wording of an internal document referenced in a recent Guardian article. The memo, which suggested the college might target elite private schools for student recruitment in certain subjects, prompted what Hockaday described as "much reflection in the college."
However, Hockaday was unequivocal in setting the record straight, stating that Trinity Hall has not changed its admissions policy nor its commitment to widening participation. She emphasised that the college's admissions team is highly skilled at assessing academic potential within the context of an applicant's background and schooling.
Data Shows Strong State School Intake
The college master pointed to concrete data to support her assertion that the institution's commitment to opportunity remains firm. On average, over the past three years, 73% of Trinity Hall's domestic undergraduates have come from state schools. This figure marks a significant increase from 61% a decade ago.
Furthermore, more than 20% of its students are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Hockaday stressed that the college's top-performing students historically come from every part of the UK, every type of school, and every possible background.
Targeted Outreach for Declining Humanities
The controversial action mentioned in the internal memo relates specifically to a handful of humanities subjects where application numbers are falling across the higher education sector. The college attributes this trend partly to reduced access to relevant A-level subjects in many state schools.
In response, Trinity Hall proposed adding a small number of independent schools to an existing mailing list of over a thousand state schools. The purpose is to advertise the college's outreach initiatives, online question-and-answer sessions, and informative podcasts about these specific subjects.
Hockaday concluded by reiterating that the language in the memo did not reflect the college's enduring commitment. "We are proud to support opportunity across the nation and our commitment to that, and our students, has not changed," she stated.
