Invicta Grammar in Maidstone will sponsor a new school

by political editor Paul Francis

One of the county's top selective schools is to be the sponsor of the first new grammar school to be set up in the country for 50 years.

Maidstone's Invicta Grammar School has been named by the county council as the proposed backer of a new selective school annexe in Sevenoaks.

The girls' school is recognised as one of the highest performing schools in Kent.

It is part of the academy trust known as Valley Invicta Trust, which consists of the grammar and the nearby non-selective Valley Park Schol.

The announcement comes amid a potentially awkward wrangle over where the site of the new school - the first in 50 years - might be built.

The Department of Education recently announced it intended to give the site KCC had earmarked for the annexe to a free school instead.

That has led to education chiefs threatening to resist what they described as an irrational and improper attempt to take control of the site, the former Wildernesse School.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, pictured right, said: "Thousands of people told us that they wanted us to explore the provision of grammar school education in the Sevenoaks area and this partnership shows KCC's commitment to reflecting those views. In many respects, this is the definition of democracy in Kent."

Mike Whiting, KCC cabinet member for education, said: "I am delighted that KCC and VIAT are working closely together to move this project forward. I will be sending Michael Gove a joint proposal for grammar provision in Sevenoaks by Monday."

Dr Philip Limbert, chief executive officer of Valley Invicta Academies Trust and Julie Derrick, head teacher of Invicta Grammar School, said in a joint statement: "KCC and VIAT working together on this proposal is good news for the 2,600 young people in Maidstone who are proud students at Valley Park and Invicta Grammar School – and shows our determination to pursue and achieve excellence."