Trinity Hall, a Cambridge college, approved a policy to proactively recruit applicants from a short list of elite private schools—a move that college fellows say aims to raise applicants’ “quality” and guard against perceived ‘reverse discrimination.’ The decision, reported by national outlets, has reignited debates over access, widening-participation efforts and the role of colleges in diversifying admissions. Fellows framed targeted outreach as part of a broader admissions strategy, but critics described the move as a setback for state-educated and disadvantaged applicants after decades of efforts to improve access. University access officers and national charities warned that deliberate targeting of private schools undermines campus equality objectives and could damage institutional reputations. College leaders say they will defend their admissions remit, while higher‑education access organisations have called for transparency on selection criteria and outreach budgets. The development adds to long‑running scrutiny of elite university admissions practices and the balance between merit, contextual offers and socio‑economic representation.