28th October 2015 1:00
By Blue Tutors
The department for education has come under fire after plans were revealed to open a new grammar school in Kent. Weald of Kent school in Tonbridge has been given permission to open another ‘site’ in Sevenoaks, a move which allows them to sidestep the law banning the opening of new grammar schools. Critics have said that this move will open the floodgates for more selective schools to be built, excluding students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Education secretary Nicky Morgan has responded to criticism saying that the move was a genuine expansion of an existing school, and will not lead to the creation of new grammar schools in the country. However, the decision to allow the school to open a new site has paved the way for other grammar schools to expand in a similar fashion.
Labour has described the move as a ‘hugely backward step’, heralding the return to a time when elite education was only available to those from wealthy backgrounds. The ban on new grammar schools was introduced by Labour in 1998, a move which was intended to remove selection and ensure that good education was open to all students from all backgrounds. Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw has warned that the new school would need to ensure that places are open to all students. He noted that a principle concern will be for the school to focus on admitting students from poorer backgrounds, ensuring that they meet access to education requirements.
Initial applications to expand Weald of Kent school have been turned down on the basis that ministers were not convinced that it wouldn’t constitute the creation of a new grammar school. The decision to allow the school to go ahead will be controversial even amongst members of the conservative party. Education reforms have focused on promoting academies and free schools, on the basis that standards are raised for all students as opposed to just the most academically able. Whilst traditionalists will be pleased to see a win for grammar schools, many who support the new education reforms will view the move as contrary to the new education philosophy. As such, ministers are denying that the decision to allow Weald of Kent to expand will open the way for the creation of other grammar schools.