Independent schools launch boycott of Bristol University

Independent schools began a boycott of Bristol University yesterday in a growing row over alleged discrimination against middle-class students.

In a joint statement, a group representing headteachers of the leading fee-paying schools said they would no longer encourage their sixth-formers to apply to Bristol until the university could assure them that they would be treated fairly.

The boycott signals an attempt by the independent sector to ensure that any university schemes to increase the number of students from deprived backgrounds do not discriminate against middle-class applicants, particularly those from private schools. The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) and Girls Schools' Association (GSA) accused the university of adopting a policy that "unfairly discriminates against applicants from good schools, whether independent or state".

Bristol denied allegations of social engineering last night and called on private school pupils to ignore the boycott.

A spokesman said the only bias was towards academic potential. The university was heavily over-subscribed, with up to 30 candidates for each place, and was forced to reject many able candidates. Of the 1,500 applicants for 47 English places for entry this autumn, 1,300 were predicted to meet or exceed the minimum requirement of two As and one B. Five hundred of these were predicted to achieve all A grades.

But Graham Able, the HMC chairman, and Pauline Davies, the GSA president, said there had been "a high degree of concern" from independent schools about "apparent arbitrary rejection of well-qualified candidates".

They said: "In these circumstances, we must send a clear message to Bristol that we cannot recommend to our colleagues that they should encourage young people to come to Bristol until such time as the university can assure us that its procedures are fair, objective, transparent and consistently applied."

The heads stressed that, while they supported schemes to widen access to university, they were "totally opposed to benchmarks and quotas which should play no part in university selection".

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, which represents both state and independent sectors, said although he would not advocate a boycott he was unhappy at the lack of openness in admissions.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education and Skills said the boycott was a matter for Bristol and the independent schools.