Grammar school in Canterbury 'could be moved' says MP

One of Canterbury's grammar schools could be relocated under proposals backed by a Conservative MP.

Sir Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet, said he was in discussions with a developer to bring grammar places to Herne Bay, where there are none.

There are currently three grammar schools in Canterbury.

Canterbury City Council said it supported the idea but head teachers voiced concerns over potential job losses.

The three grammar schools in the city are Barton Court Grammar School, Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School.

There has been no information as to which school might be affected.

Staff redundant

Sir Roger said two options should be considered, with one being the creation of a "satellite school" - which would see one of the existing establishments opening a new department of the school in a different area.

He added: "There is also the possibility of another existing grammar school, transferring lock, stock and barrel to the town, because we can't build a new grammar school which is what we might really like.

"We will pursue all of those options in the hope we can bring one of them to fruition."

Canterbury City Council has backed the plans believing it will ease congestion in the city.

Jane Robinson, head teacher of Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School, said there was already over-capacity of grammar school places in east Kent and there was no need for extra places in Herne Bay.

She said: "Should that grammar school take students they would have to come from somewhere and therefore they would come from existing grammar schools... which of course decreases the funding.

"And once you decrease the funding for a school - what then?

"Normally, it means making staff redundant."