51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

I agree with Kenneth Smith ("Data to end quota debate", Letters, 29 November) that we could simply look at finals data for the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Oxford and the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Cambridge to see if we can discern differences between state and privately educated students in terms of degrees awarded. However, I wonder if it would tell the whole story.

It is quite possible, with a quota on the number of undergraduates from private schools (and so, fewer of them), bright 18-year-olds from comprehensives and further education and sixth-form colleges might flourish instead of feeling somehow second-class and less worthy of their place.

It might also open up opportunities for them to attend any institution rather than the handful that are known among state-school careers advisers as having a better (that is, more balanced, more mixed) demographic.

David Mead, Professor of public law and UK human rights, School of Law, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Essex