Kent grammar schools urged to equal social imbalance
Grammar schools in Kent have been encouraged to provide up to 700 more places for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to correct the social-mobility gap.
Kent County Council has approved a number of ideas to try to enable more disadvantaged children get the chance, but has said it could not compel schools.
At present, 80 per cent of high-achieving children from more affluent backgrounds in Kent attend grammar schools whereas in poorer families, it is only only 57 per cent. This equates as a difference of over 700 pupils.
Suggestions to equal this imbalance revolve around persuading the schools to take fewer pupils from outside the county, but also include grammar schools helping pupils with the cost of uniforms, school trips and providing more links with state primary schools.
Jenny Whittle, chairman of the council's grammar schools and social mobility select committee, said: "We can't impose our recommendations, but I really do believe that there is a spirit of co-operation and a real willingness to see more children from poorer backgrounds benefit from a selective education."
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