Grammar school expansion put to vote

Councillors in Kent vote on Thursday on whether to allow a grammar school to expand onto a new campus, the first such expansion for 50 years.

In 1998, Labour banned the opening of any new grammar schools, but changes to the rules governing the allocation of school places allow over-subscribed schools to expand beyond their boundaries.

Critics of the plan, like Margaret Tulloch from the Comprehensive Future campaign group, say the vote could lead to new grammar schools "by the back door".

But grammar school heads like Mark Garbett say selective schools have the effect of raising educational standards in schools nearby as well.