ANALYSIS

The government has seemingly cleared the way for a grammar gold rush but what will be the consequences for Kent, the largest selective area of the country?

There is unlikely to be much momentum for entirely new grammar schools, not least because they could run into opposition from non-selective schools, unions and possibly academy chains who now have much greater autonomy and are already sounding sceptical.

The conditions placed on new ones to ensure they improve access to poorer brighter children may prove to be as much a deterrent as an incentive.

However, there is likely to be an opening for Kent to push ahead with other grammar school expansions through the annexe or satellite model, which would enable gaps in the county where children have no grammar nearby.

Places like Herne Bay, Romney Marsh and Sheppey are among areas where there have been long-standing complaints about a shortage of nearby grammar schools.

Politically, this could be an interesting test of the Prime Minister’s authority. She has picked a fight on an issue which has always proved contentious, especially in Kent and if, as is possible, the reforms get knocked back, it will be damaging.

There will be no shortage of support from Kent Conservative MPs but the enthusiasm is not universally shared across the party.

The education secretary Justine Greening has a battle on her hands. ries and secondaries. We need to provide enough information to parents about what they should do [to enter the test].”

The campaign group Kent Education Network (KEN) said the eleven plus was outdated: “It is clearly false to believe the innate quality of a pupil can be accurately measured at the age of ten or eleven. The Kent Test measures mostly reasoning skills; it cannot determine application to work, nor potential abilities that can be inspired by ambition or love of learning.”

KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter has said the authority would push ahead with expansion proposals in west Kent even before the legislation was passed.

Does Kent need more grammar schools? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk