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A quarter of a century ago, the University of Oxford's department of educational studies might well have been a conduit through which Oxford graduates moved into independent schools ("Top teachers go private", THES , January 10).

That is no longer the case. Had Alan Smithers examined the latest cohorts of Oxbridge graduates on our internship scheme, he would have found that only a minute proportion go into private schools despite the attractive salaries and conditions of work.

That is because of our close partnership with local comprehensive schools through the internship, outreach and mentoring programmes. This partnership has become an attraction, rather than a deterrent, to the increasing number of Oxford undergraduates who enter teaching.

Richard Pring
Director
Department of educational studies
University of Oxford