Oxford to stop accepting child prodigies
This isn’t in the realm of science developments, but I do think it’s related, since most “child prodigies” end up studying music, or science, as opposed to liberal arts. Regardless, due to recently-enacted child protection laws in the UK, Oxford is (probably) going to stop accepting children under the age of 17. This isn’t because Oxford is a dangerous or unhealthy place for children to study, but instead it’s because the University cannot guarantee the safety of the children while they are there. Oxford cannot conduct background checks on all of the undergraduate students in its residence buildings, which means that children will not be allowed to live there. Children under the age of 17 would not be allowed to have one-on-one tutoring sessions, either, because Oxford cannot conduct background checks on all of the faculty and staff.
‘The problem is that we can’t alter the environment here; we can’t lay on special measures for younger students. We’re used to operating as an institution for adults.’
I think it’s unfortunate that these kids will not be given the opportunity to work to their fullest potential, without going overseas. Oxford was the only university that accepted children under the age of 17 in the UK, and now this has changed. It remains to be seen what will happen to future British “prodigies” — whether they will come to the United States, or go elsewhere in the world.
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