News

Kent County Council leader Paul Carter has outlined plans which would increase grammar school places in the west of the county to deal with a shortage.

According to reports, Mr Carter said: "I intend to try and plan and provide for 25% of our secondary school places to be grammar school places in Kent. We are struggling to fill grammar school places in the east of the county. We may diminish places over a period of time in east Kent and expand in west Kent keeping the pass rate the same."

He added: "In the east of the county there seems to be an over- provision of grammar school places, where there aren't enough people passing the test, while in west Kent it is completely the opposite."

Under the proposals, grammar school places in east Kent would be reduced where there is an over-supply.

There are currently 33 operating grammar schools in the county

Figures released by the county council revealed there are 4,458 places available for children in September 2010 - but 5,113 youngsters passed their 11-plus test this year.