As you would expect the Financial Times takes industry seriously - and today it reports on that niche but profitable industry: getting students into Oxbridge.
Some schools - not all independents - are better at getting their pupils into the hallowed quads than their exam results would strictly warrant, argues the FT after comparing the 6,600 places available at Oxford and Cambridge last year with the top 6,600 A-level results in the country. (Scottish Highers apparently don't count.)
Eton and Westminster chaps would seem to be good at talking their way in, but state grammar schools like Latymer, in London, and Royal Grammar, High Wycombe, also have a good track record.
Leaving aside the bland assumption that a student in possession of A grades must be in want of a place at Oxbridge - as if Imperial or Warwick or Edinburgh were somehow second best - the story does prompt some questions about the admissions process and the fabled interview.
Given that about half of entrants to Oxford are from the small independent school sector the university is still not connecting with all the available talent out there. Sixth form colleges in particular are getting very good exam results but not sending as many students to Oxbridge as they might.
The question is whether their students are just not that impressed by ancient colleges - or whether they are over-impressed and don't have the confidence to apply.
