'No bias' against private pupils

Leading universities are not biased against pupils from independent schools, a report has concluded.

Some private schools have claimed their pupils have been at a disadvantage, with universities under pressure to take more state school applicants.

But an investigation into applications from 375 schools to 30 universities, by the Independent Schools Council, did not substantiate this claim.

Bristol University - one of the main targets - welcomed the findings.

"There is no evidence of discrimination against independently schooled students," the schools council report concluded.

Cynthia Hall, vice-president of the Girls' Schools Association, said: "Applications to university have increased, so competition is hotter for the most popular courses whichever sector students come from."