More than 2,000 children from outside the county sat the Kent Test

by Jess Banham

Almost one in five children who sit the Kent Test are not from the county.

Figures obtained by KentOnline show as many as 2,156 pupils from outside
the county took the test last year.

Just more than 11,000 pupils sat the grammar school entry exam, which means almost 20% did not live in Kent when they say the test.

Over the last three years, there has been a 13% increase in the number of pupils from places such as Sussex and Surrey taking the test.

In 2009, 1,875 children from outside the county sat the exam.

It comes as many grammar schools in West Kent remain oversubscribed.

But Cllr Mike Whiting, Kent County Council cabinet member for education, said it was only fair other children got the chance to take the test.

He said: "For many of those who want to take the Kent test, it’s purely because they haven’t got a selective education system in their own county.

"A Kent school may be the closest to where they live so it’s understandable that they would want to avail themselves if they believe their children are suitable for a grammar school education. It’s their choice."

In March, county councillors voted in favour of plans for a new four-form entry selective school in Sevenoaks.

Of the 2,533 secondary school pupils in the south of Sevenoaks, nearly half travel out of the area to grammars elsewhere.

Cllr Whiting added: "Access is an important thing for me and if we can use whatever legislation allows to provide the places where they are needed, where people live, that’s an avenue we should be following and indeed that’s what we’ve pledged to do."