Friends of Grammar Schools

By James Kirkup

Political Correspondent

224 words

Publication date: 28 October 2009

Source: The Daily Telegraph Page: 10 (c) 2009 Telegraph Group Limited

A TORY row over grammar schools is expected to reignite with plans to expand selective schools.

David Cameron, the Conservative leader, has opposed any expansion of grammar schools, angering many Tory activists and MPs.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has also banned the expansion of the 164 remaining grammar schools in England. But Tory-held Kent County Council, backed by its local Conservative MP, is proposing to expand some of its academically selective secondary schools.

Paul Carter, the Conservative leader of Kent, said that in order to manage demand for grammar school places, he wants to make some of his selective schools bigger.

This year 5,113 children passed the Kent Test, the county’s form of the 11-plus. However, the county’s grammar schools have only 4,458 places for September 2010.

The DCSF has specifically excluded grammar schools from rules allowing popular schools to expand.

Kent’s planned changes do not take effect until next year, meaning the final decision on expanding its grammar schools could be taken by a Conservative government. Mr Cameron has said that he wants more schools to become independent academies.

However, Roger Gale, the MP for North Thanet, has urged Kent to go further, saying he wants “completely new grammar schools.”