Minister open to more grammars

New education secretary Justine Greening is open to the idea of allowing new grammar schools.

There was an 18-year block introduced by Labour and maintained by David Cameron.

However, previous Conservative education secretary Nicky Morgan gave the go-ahead to a new grammar school annexe in Sevenoaks last year.

Now Ms Greening, who attended a comprehensive school, said she was prepared to listen to the arguments.

But she said there would be no rush. “I am not going to make big policy announcements. I recognise this is an important debate... we need to move this debate on,” she said.

She added it was important to step away from “a more old fashioned” debate about grammar schools and where they might fit in a changed landscape.

It comes as new Prime Minister Theresa May indicated improving social mobility would be a key aim of the government.

She has backed a proposed new grammar annexe in her own constituency of Maidenhead.

The idea of reintroducing grammar schools is supported by many of the county’s MPs.