THE national debate over university elitism was re-ignited last night after A-level results revealed the talent of youngsters rejected by Oxford and Cambridge.

The row erupted again after news that state-educated Laura Spence, who was rejected by an Oxford college earlier this year, scored five A grades in her A-levels.

The 18-year-old, from Whitley Bay, Tyneside, hit the headlines during the build up to her exams in May when it emerged she had been rejected by Magdalen College, Oxford, to read chemistry.

There were accusations that Oxford and Cambridge were biased towards students from private schools.

Laura later won a scholarship to Harvard University, in the US, to study bio-chemistry, and her results sparked fresh criticism of the British system from her headteacher, Dr Paul Kelley.

Dr Kelley, of Monkseaton Community High School, said her results backed up Chancellor Gordon Brown's attack on the Oxbridge system.

He said: "It is a vindication of the general argument that has been going on for years, that there are weaknesses in the admissions system which are unacceptable. Laura is an exceptional person."

In May, the Chancellor said it was "scandalous" that a state-educated student with ten A-starred GCSEs and five predicted As at A level could be rejected. And yesterday, more of the region's most talented students joined the debate.

David Outterside, 18, of Stockton, was rejected by Cambridge in May, despite attending three interviews and having four A grade predictions.

David, who attended Stockton Sixth Form College, said: "The selection process for Oxbridge seems to be a sham and badly run, and I feel confused and, moreover, unfairly rejected by the system.

"I definitely feel that I have been snubbed because of my background - there is certainly an underlying aspect of elitism."

David has been accepted by Nottingham University to study law, after he gained four A grades.

And he is not the only student in the region to be rejected by Cambridge, despite outstanding exam results.

Sarah Bevan, 18, who went to Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, gained four grade As and a B in her A-levels, but she too was snubbed.

Sarah, who is going to study in Manchester, said: "Cambridge wasn't my number one choice but it was disappointing to get rejected. I did think I would be in with a good chance."

Last night, Susan Stubbs, director of admissions for Cambridge colleges, said: "I would disagree with any claims that there is favouritism or that we reject students because they may come from a particular school or area of the country.

"We assess each application fairly and thoroughly."

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