Grammar school expansion divides Kent town

campaign a success

Sevenoaks parents' places raises concerns that wealthy families can take advantage of the system

When the first extension of a high school in more than half a century, was approved last week, the result surprised even the parents who had fought so hard to achieve.

a campaign in the sleepy town of Sevenoaks Kent, who has no school of his own, to provide its most brilliant son had raised a petition of 2,600 names.

Currently, 1,120 children in the city have to go to selective schools in nearby towns. The decision of the County Council means the schedule in relation to these schools can be built in Sevenoaks. "People power is alive and well," said Mike Whiting, Conservative County Councillor for Education in Kent.

changes in the law schools of the coalition last December had paved the way for Kent to approve the provision new elementary school, spearheaded what many fear could be a resurgence of selective education in the country.

Tory councilor Jim Wedgbury declared triumphantly. "We can make history and begin the deployment of high schools across the country"

But for others, the campaign led to a division between those who can afford tutors to get children to exclusive schools, and those who are "making do" with the state providing not selective in Sevenoaks is Knole Academy.

Mary Boyle, director at Knole, said: "Consequently, what they say about my school, my children, my staff and governors is unfair that parents of grammar school saying "the only alternative one. Knole Academy and is not to go", while most of them have not even visited.

"We are not just stumbling around in the background. We are a new school and a negative view of us has an impact. We have children who arrive with very low self-esteem after experience of 11-plus [and] we need to create a backup. just wish all these people going around saying, "Oh, my child can not go there" in reality, we can visit and see what we do here. "

She told the recent production of Knole

Twelfth Night

had demonstrated prejudice. "I tell people and it is not surprising:" What is Shakespeare? "

• Boyle said there was little interest in the new primary school places among the leaders, both public and private, in Sevenoaks and noted the logistical difficulties in the operation satellite sites.
• Boy
• Knole head and she wrote a letter to the Council, noting the impact on students to be considered a school of last resort. The head of the man Oliver Nichol, 18, said that they felt was unfairly let Knole. "My results are better than some people I know who went to grammar" he said.

"I'm glad I went to this school because it is much more inclusive, I met people from all types of bottom and made me the person I am. Ago a true team spirit. I think parents want the social prestige of having children in primary school, who are clinging to old ideas and we want to make things clear. "

advisor Whiting said Knole was a "very good choice." He said he was convinced that the recession has had a role in places like the anxious parents facing high costs for the private sector. "There is a certain pressure that comes from those who migrate here from London. Come for the selective system and, of course, puts pressure on places. Educate parents, for 11-plus in the private school sector and then in a good grammar. "

Work new grammars banned in 1998. In 2007, the Conservatives said they would rather extended schools program of the academy. But in December the education secretary Michael Gove announced that the 164 remaining grammar schools could expand and create satellite schools.
Parents who organized the petition

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