A clutch of new free schools for Kent have been given the green light today as the government announces its latest wave of schools under its flagship policy.

It has confirmed the county's schools are among 27 in the South East to get the go-ahead, together creating 15,429 places.

The announcement represents the latest step in the government’s programme for free schools and is there will be particular interest in two schemes that involve grammars as sponsors.

The schools in Kent to get the go-ahead are:

Stone Lodge Academy - a new secondary school for 11-19 year-olds in Dartford, proposed by Endeavour Multi Academy Trust. It already runs two grammar schools and will use their expertise running selective schools to open a new non-selective free school.

Barton Court Academy Trust Free School – proposed by Barton Court Grammar School, a new non-selective free school providing 1,050 school places for 11- to 19-year-olds in Canterbury.

A new primary school for in the county town called Maidstone Primary

In Gravesham, a school called The Primary First Trust

In Bearsted, Maidstone, there will be a new special school

In Folkestone, The Turner Academy secondary school

Medway will also see a number of new schools:

Medway Academy

Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary

The Beeches - listed as an alternative provision primary school

The Maritime Academy - an all-through secondary school

Leigh Academies Trust, which looks after 10,000 pupils at 15 academy schools in Kent and south east London, is also due to open three free schools in Kent.

They will be:

Medway Academy, a new secondary school in either Strood or Rainham with an intake of 180 pupils per year and sixth form, opening in September 2019.

Bearsted Academy, a secondary special school based at J7 of the M20, near Maidstone.

Maidstone Primary Academy, a brand new primary with 60 pupils each year to share a site at J7 of the M20 with Bearsted Academy. Like Bearsted Academy, it will open in September 2018.

Education secretary Justin Greening said: “We need schools that can bring out the best in every single child no matter where they're growing up, how much their parents earn, or however different their talents are.”

“That's why these new schools are so important - they give us the school places we need for the future, and they also give parents more choices to find a great school place in their area that's right for their child.”

Free schools can be set up by parents, teachers, charities, businesses, cultural and sporting bodies, community groups, academy trusts and sponsors.

They can also be existing schools in response to demand from the local community, either where there is a shortage of places, or where the parents are not happy with the places on offer.

The government says the latest wave of 131 new schools will create more than 69,000 new school places - including more than 4,000 for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.