Sir, – On the subject of school admission policies favouring the children of alumni, the debate so far has been lacking a basic degree of perspective.
First, let us discard the notion that this is a practice exclusive to fee-paying schools: a quick scan of most school admission policies reveals it to be commonplace.
Second, there is a common misconception that these schools are wall-to-wall with children of past pupils, while other prospective students find it impossible to gain admission. This is simply not the case. Taking an example from our English neighbours, even at Eton – where this kind of policy is at the very core of the school's ethos – children of past pupils make up only approximately 25 per cent of the student base, according to figures published in the Guardian.
Without expressing an opinion either way, I do hope the debate going forward can be sensible and avoid any further stereotyping or sensationalism. – Yours, etc,
TOM KELLY,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.