Firms could sponsor private school places???

An article in The Times this weekend has unveiled that corporate scholarships may be given to state school students to allow more students the opportunity of an education at an independent school.  The main aim of this scheme is to prepare bright students more for university and encourage more to take maths and science-based subjects.

Students at state schools who are wanting to study sciences and maths at A-level, could apply for one of the 1000 scholarships available in the independent sector thanks to many banks and businesses.

This scheme is already taking place at the City of London School, thanks to a collaboration with HSBC, and has proved successful.  How do you think that the scheme will work nationally?