Cambridge University asks Eastenders for...

Princess · 02-09-08, 14:28

A Plug in its weekly show !

Cambridge University is asking script-writers of popular soaps like "EastEnders" to give it a plug to help break down its elitist image.

It wants to feature amid the usual TV soap tales of rivalry, sex and revenge in an attempt to attract more state-educated students.

"It is an opportunity to show we are contemporary and modern ... and interested in the best students," said a University spokesman.

"We are looking to use media that people watch every day. You cannot rely on newspapers alone."

"Coronation Street" and "Emmerdale" have also been approached, as have other popular programmes such as "Top Gear" and "Doctor Who".

"We have had a number of warm letters already and one hot lead from one production company," the spokesman added.

EastEnders already features a storyline involving pupils whose families are hoping they will make it to Cambridge or its academic rival Oxford.

"We were already in the process of writing to EastEnders when we saw the story unfold, the spokesman said. "That was really helpful."

"We wrote to them asking if they wanted any assistance on recruitment."

Slightly more than half Cambridge's students are from state schools as opposed to fee-paying independent schools, but the figure has dropped in recent years from about 58 to 55 percent.

It has an intake target for state schools of about 62 percent.

Any proposed plot lines would concentrate on promoting the financial packages on offer.

"It is cheaper to study at Cambridge than at other universities," the spokesman added. "We want to remove barriers for bright kids from ordinary backgrounds."

The spokesman said another impetus for the move into popular television is the 800th anniversary of Cambridge next year.

The University is not the only one to try and sell itself through soap operas.

Some government departments, such as the Department of Health, also try to include campaigns into shows, such as healthy eating or vaccinations.

Janet · 02-09-08, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess

It has an intake target for state schools of about 62 percent.

And there is the problem.

Oxbridge has targets but also standards ... which most state school students cannot meet. This is not necessarily a matter of intellectual ability, but of the Oxbridge-tailored learning environment that private schools can provide. In particular, too, given the straight-A syndrome of current A-levels, private schools provide tutoring and advance roleplay to prepare for Oxbridge interviews ... something state schools never do, and which alone probably results in state pupils being denied the offer of a place.

Raising the University's profile to raise applications will do nothing to alleviate this situation.

Princess · 02-09-08, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

And there is the problem.

Oxbridge has targets but also standards ... which most state school students cannot meet. This is not necessarily a matter of intellectual ability, but of the Oxbridge-tailored learning environment that private schools can provide. In particular, too, given the straight-A syndrome of current A-levels, private schools provide tutoring and advance roleplay to prepare for Oxbridge interviews ... something state schools never do, and which alone probably results in state pupils being denied the offer of a place.

Raising the University's profile to raise applications will do nothing to alleviate this situation.

Exactly !

If you attend a private school, you are throughout talked to about Uni, how to apply what to expect, etc. etc. A state school rarely anything, unless a particularly good teacher spots & coaches a talented pupil, which is so sad.

I am positive there are plenty of potentially great minds wasted in the state system which go un nurtured due to govt. led targets & so on

Jennie · 02-09-08, 14:55

Location: The Queen Vic pub, Walford, London

"Cor... blinkey blimey, luv a duck... where's arrr Grant dees daays?"

"Well ee ain't beatin people up no more.... ees only gawn an got imself a place at Cambridge University, ain't it?"

"I fort that was for posh lar-di-dar geezers?"

"Naaaah! Anyone can go dees days, you should send them a text and see if they'll ave ya!"

I think not

Janet · 02-09-08, 14:56

I think people underestimate, too, how important the interview is for Oxbridge places. We used to interview sometimes in Leeds, but it was never for the same reasons as Oxbridge ... i.e. fact-finding versus ... what? Why does Oxbridge interview. You could write a book on it, and it would be a book that all state pupils would need to read.

Periklês · 02-09-08, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

Why does Oxbridge interview. You could write a book on it, and it would be a book that all state pupils would need to read.

Because the 'best' are not necessarily identified by some high 'A'-level marks, which can usually be attained by hard work without an inquisitive mind. To find the 'best' you have to interview personally. Generally, they are looking for a student with a balanced mind, not some geek who can solve maths problems but who can't formulate a sentence correctly. I've been through 3 Oxbridge interviews as a potential physics student, and not one of them involved a question about anything scientfic. It was a long time ago.

Princess · 02-09-08, 15:52

I can understand that, they want 'thinkers' instead of robots.

Black Flag · 02-09-08, 17:27

Yes but thats assuming everyone aspires to Oxbridge and its obviously class ridden reputation, there are many people who think Oxbridge is not the top of the ladder anymore, in fact many students detest the idea of going there precisely because of the reputation,especially since most need a private education to get there, apparently.
Does not the whole system reek of class priviledge.

Periklês · 02-09-08, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Flag

many students detest the idea of going there precisely because of the reputation,.

true, but many students do not have academic excellence as their first priority

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Flag

Does not the whole system reek of class priviledge.

Of course it does. This is the whole point, that Cambridge is making attempts to reduce the unfairness, about a century later than they should have done.

Briz · 02-09-08, 18:18

Let us hope they do not get too politically correct and let anyone in, even if they can't even spell school.