Over to Nicky Morgan

A year ago, we were waiting for then Education Secretary Michael Gove to rule on the two applications for a grammar annexe in Sevenoaks. Now it is down to his successor, Nicky Morgan, to rule on a new application from the Weald of Kent Grammar School Academy Trust.

As was widely reported last week – in the Sevenoaks Chronicle, but also in the national press – Weald of Kent has submitted an application for a 3 Forms of Entry girls grammar school annexe on the former Wildernesse School site. At KCC we have worked closely with Weald of Kent regarding their application, notably through our projections of the growing need for West Kent grammar school places.

There are many positive indications for this application. It is true that Weald of Kent was - along with Valley Invicta Academies Trust - one of the unsuccessful applicants last year. Both applications were, however, for a coeducational annexe, and this issue - that a single sex school setting up a coeducational annexe was seen to be in effect creating a new grammar school - was at the heart of Michael Gove's decision to turn the applications down. At the same time, the Department for Education made clear that the high proportion of students that Weald of Kent draws from Sevenoaks was a powerful argument for viewing their proposed grammar provision as an annexe.

In the meantime, the grammar annexe secured planning permission (from KCC's Planning Applications Committee) in the summer, and work is getting under way to demolish the existing buildings on the Wildernesse site and then start work on the buildings for the Trinity Free School, which will share use of the site with the proposed grammar annexe.

In the longer term, our aim remains to secure boys' provision in the site as well, but Weald of Kent's application is a very welcome step - a strong proposal from an outstanding Kent grammar school. What remains now is the Secretary of State's decision. KCC and Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon have urged that the decision should be a speedy one.