A Canterbury grammar school has finally admitted to holding talks about opening a satellite in Herne Bay – and says it will continue to explore the idea.

This week the Kentish Gazette exclusively revealed Barton Court had been approached about expanding onto the site of the former Herne Bay Golf Club.

Head teacher Kirstin Cardus would not confirm her involvement, but in a letter to parents and staff has now admitted to holding “exploratory talks” about the idea.

She says the school cannot expand on its “constrained site” in Canterbury and could take advantage of government policy to “enlarge onto a second, satellite school site in Herne Bay”.

It is thought staff were unaware of the plans until they were revealed by the Gazette.

In her letter, Ms Cardus says: “We are oversubscribed and we heard some 90 appeals for this September.

“Against that background, together with proposed new housing developments in the city and in the coastal towns, the school is continually looking at how it might help meet future demand for the high-quality grammar school places it offers.

“Given the constraints of our current site in Canterbury city centre, an option might be to take advantage of government policy and enlarge onto a second, satellite school site in Herne Bay.

“When the school was approached about this we decided it was right to hold exploratory meetings with the developers and others to see what their plans are and what might be possible.

“We believe that it is right to continue those talks.

“However, there are no firm plans in place and we have entered into no agreements.

“Of course, should any proposals concerning the school’s future emerge from the ongoing discussions, then we will ensure parents, pupils and staff are the first to be consulted.”

The talks have been held with developer Mark Quinn, of Quinn Estates, and former KCC education chief Mike Whiting.

They were instigated by Herne Bay MP Sir Roger Gale, who supports the idea of a coastal grammar school.

He said: “Too many Herne Bay kids are bussed out of the Bay to Canterbury and Faversham’s grammar schools.

“They ought to be educated much closer to home and if it is possible to build a new grammar school then I am very keen on the idea.

“If it is achievable at Herne Bay Golf Club then Barton Court is a viable option. If we can make it happen I would be delighted.”

Quinn Estates wants to build the school, a supermarket, 400 homes and a sports hub on the golf club site, which has been included in the new draft Local Plan.

Canterbury City Council chief Colin Carmichael has also backed the plans, saying it would reduce congestion in Canterbury.

He said: “The city council would very much like to see grammar school places there.

“The idea is that it could mainly serve the coastal towns, thereby seriously reducing traffic into Canterbury and Faversham from school runs from the coast.

“It’s a few years off yet and there are legal obstacles to work through, similar to those happening in Sevenoaks at the moment.”

The proposal has its critics, who claim there is no need for more grammar places in east Kent and opening a new school could make teachers redundant.

Among the objectors is Simon Langton Girls’ head teacher Jane Robinson, who chairs the East Kent Head Teacher Assessment Panel.

She said: “In east Kent there is more than enough capacity in all secondary schools for all students, whether selective or non-selective. That is certainly the case in the Canterbury area.

“Some grammar schools have been under capacity for the last couple of years. There isn’t a deficit of places.

“If these plans were to go ahead, it would mean other grammar schools in the area in east Kent would be under capacity.

“There is a real danger here about what a new school in Herne Bay would do to other schools. It would upset the balance.

“Your income comes from the number of pupils in the school. If you are under-subscribed, you cannot rely on having enough income.

“Then teachers have to be made redundant. It becomes a vicious cycle.

“People will try to keep numbers up and unfortunately what happens is there is a fight to get as many students as possible to come to your school. That competition between schools shouldn’t occur.”

Kent County Council says it will be “looking carefully at this development”.