Best Schools - The top research universities in the UK are changing their advice for young people choosing A-levels

An interactive website from The Russell Group, of 24 research-led universities has just been launched to replace a controversial list of traditional academic subjects said to help entry.

Many arts organisations said the old approach led to creative subjects being marginalised in schools. The new more flexible approach allows a wider range of A-levels to be highlighted.

On the new website, pupils will be able to type in a subject area and see the range of degrees on offer or choose a particular university course and see what A-levels they would need to secure a place.

Creative subjects and other less traditional disciplines, such as psychology, are given more prominence.

The previous advice was largely based on a core list of traditional academic subjects, such as the sciences, maths, English and languages.

The new approach has been tested with the help of pupils in about 50 schools over recent months.

Roedean school students set for four-day trip without phones

Sixth-formers from Roedean school, an all girls private school in Brighton will spend time at a country house with their peers and no access to internet.

The idea has come after headmaster of the school, Oliver Blond, discovered most of the girls find out information about their friends on social media rather than talking to them.

The chosen retreat has been described as having ‘a lot of fresh air and no Wifi’.