A PLEA for a more open system of university quotas has been made by a headteacher of an independent school in Darlington.

Marie Green, headteacher of Polam Hall School, made the plea after a leaked London School of Economics quota system was reported in The Daily Telegraph on Thursday of last week.

The article claimed favouritism towards state-educated pupils over better qualified applicants from the independent sector.

Miss Green said: "My priority concern was over the secret quota and that it was happening under Government pressure.

"My plea would be for a more open system. If universities are going to have quotas then it should be clear. People should know where they stand.

"I've been involved with independent schools for more than 20 years and there has not been meaningful discrimination in any general way.

"The odd individual may have had a problem with an individual institution at one time or another but that is all.

"Universities continue to want the best candidates for the courses. I would think they would always try to choose on that basis."

Miss Green described the quota system as very crude social engineering. "It's crude because in all schools you get children from a variety of backgrounds regardless of the achievement record of the school," she said. "There are children on bursaries or who are funded by their parents who sacrifice their all for them, and then to find out they were penalised is unfair.

"Students from independent schools are still securing a high proportion of university places, because they work extremely hard, are well taught and do extremely well.

"Children from all backgrounds should be encouraged to apply if they aspire but this isn't the way to do it fairly. "