OUSU Council has passed a motion to mandate its officers to lobby the University against the introduction of the A* grade at A Level.
The proposal, brought by the JCR President of Magdalen College, raised the possibility of an unfair advantage to private school students.
The proposal argued that smaller class sizes, motivated teachers and improved facilities benefitted those students in the independent sector, and meant they were more likely to achieve the 90% score in their final year required for the elusive grade.
Of the candidates who met their offers for Oxford this year, just 16.5% did not achieve at least one A* grade. Within that minority, there are twice as many state school pupils as ones who attended independent schools.
The motion passed with the amendment that OUSU should review its current position by no later than the end of Michealmas Term 2011.
