First new grammar school in 50 years

Labour have accused David Cameron of tossing social mobility down the drain after it emerged Britain will have its first new grammar school for 50 years.

It is understood education secretary Nicky Morgan will give the green light to plans for a 450-pupil school in Sevenoaks, Kent, after months of legal wrangling and years of debate.

It comes nearly two decades after Labour’s 1998 law that banned new grammars, which take only the top 25% of pupils and have been wiped out in all but a few areas.

The new school would get round the law because it will be an ‘annexe’ to the existing Weald of Kent Grammar School in nearby Tonbridge.

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Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of education campaign group the Sutton Trust, said: “Too much entry to grammar schools is dependent on your parents’ bank balance – and their ability to afford prep school or private tuition.

“The best grammar schools are actively reaching out to bright pupils from less advantaged backgrounds and introducing fair admissions that recognise that their families can’t afford private tutors or prep school fees. Others should do more to follow their example.”

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