Quota hits top schools

It is not only privately educated students who will be affected by the quotas imposed by the London School of Economics ("LSE sets secret state quota", March 11). This policy will have an adverse affect on state schools, too.

Cath Baldwin, head of LSE recruitment, says: "The discretionary places scheme does not apply to... those that perform above the national average in terms of GCSE grades."

According to another report: "Admissions tutors can request that a student with low predicted grades from a school where students gain below the national average of 54 per cent with five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C should be counted as part of the quota for the 'Discretionary Places Scheme'" ( Daily Telegraph ). As this is an average figure, many state schools will fall below it. The scheme works to the disadvantage of the better state schools and students, too.

Nigel Probert
Porthmadog