This time two years ago I was thrilled to discover that I had got the A-level grades to fulfil my Oxford offer of three As. (I was also really relieved since I’d been telling everyone I had an Oxford offer.)

Applying there wasn’t an ambition I had grown up with but as a sixth-form student at an aspirational state school in east London, I was inspired by motivational assemblies explaining the admissions process, and talks by former students. My decision was enthusiastically encouraged by my teachers.

I always felt like my application was a shot in the dark and that I was less likely to get a place than a private school applicant . This is borne out by the latest figures, which show a fifth of state-educated pupils (19 per cent) compared with a quarter (24 per cent) were offered a p

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