So what is so wrong with an elite?

Letter to the Daily Telegraph

Sir,
In nearly every area of life an elite based on quality is taken for granted, even encouraged. The millions who follow Premiership football each week have no problem with "elitism" - it is a given. So why has elitism has become a dirty word when it comes to education [Universities to shun new 'elitist' A* grades - Daily Telegraph 20/12/09]? Surely our top universities should need no encouragement to accept the best students, regardless of their social or educational background. All that the introduction of the A* at A-level is going to achieve is to highlight the injustice of Government intervention in the university entrance system.

Mark S Steed
Principal, Berkhamsted School
Berkhamsted, Herts

See also
Universities dismiss new top A-level as unfair to state pupils Times 20/12/09