Kentish Express Ashford & District
Labour leader rules out creation of new grammars
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says there will be no return to selection in schools under his leadership.
In his first speech as leader to the party conference, he said the party wanted to focus on the aspirations of all children rather than a select few.
His comments were condemned by Kent MP Charlie Elphicke, who said they represented a threat to axe Kent grammar schools that was “deeply concerning”.
Mr Corbyn stopped short of saying he wanted the abolition of the 164 remaining grammars in the country. Of these, 39 of are in Kent, including two – Highworth and Norton Knatchbull – are in Ashford.
The Labour leader made it clear he would not countenance any further selection in schools.
However, in an interview during the campaign, he said: “I would want all grammars to become comprehensives and to end the 11-plus where it still exists.”
Mr Corbyn did not go that far in his speech, saying only the party opposed selection “because we have aspirations for all children, not just a few”.
Previous Labour leaders have said they would be prepared to allow existing grammars to remain.
Although he was l oudly cheered for the declaration, there was more applause when Mr Corbyn said that under Labour, every school – including academies and free schools – would be accountable to local government education authorities.
Kent County Council is still waiting to hear from the government about a bid to open a grammar school annexe in Sevenoaks.
The annexe would be part of the Weald of Kent Grammar School and help provide places for children in the area who often end up having to travel out of town to get to a grammar school.