11-plus marks to be looked at in grammar shake-up plans

Grammar schools in Kent and Medway could be forced to offer places to children with lower 11-plus marks to increase the number of poorer brighter pupils in selective schools.

The government is considering the radical plan to counter the claim grammars are dominated by pupils from better-off families.

It comes after the Chancellor announced a £320m fund for 110 free schools, some of which could be grammars.

The idea of a different pass mark for less well-off children applying to grammars was rejected by a cross-party committee of county councillors investigating ways to improve social mobility in Kent’s selective schools. It concluded there were better ways to improve access to grammar schools, including extending free school transport.

Cllr Jenny Whittle (Con) who chaired the inquiry, said: “We did consider a lower test score but we felt there was a danger those children who got a place at a grammar on that basis might fall behind."

The government may also allow grammars to admit children at 12 and 13 to reflect the fact that children develop at different ages.

In Kent, figures show that on average just 3% of children on free school meals - the main indicator of social deprivation - attend grammars with some having even fewer.

That contrasts with 13.4% in non-selective schools. At the same time, 6.3% of pupils attending grammar schools receive Pupil Premium, compared to 26.9% in non-selective schools.

The committee did urge the county’s “super selective” grammars - which admit the highest scoring children - to consider setting aside places for poorer brighter pupils who were eligible for Pupil Premium money who passed the 11-plus.

Labour county councillor Roger Truelove, who served on the inquiry, said: “It would be invidious for children to go to grammar schools knowing they have been given a favourable assessment. We should we be taking steps to ensure children are achieving their full potential after six years in primary education.”

Speaking about the funds for free schools, KCC cabinet member for education Roger Gough said:

“If I have a concern it is the issue of free schools delivering their projects on time. The approach we have taken [on new grammars] is that where there is demand caused by population growth, we will support them.”

The plan to lift the ban on new grammars has been divisive with 33 Kent headteachers writing to the education secretary Justine Greening to denounce the idea.

However, many of the county’s MPs have welcomed the news.