by political editor Paul Francis

Kent's grammar schools could be given the green light to expand under new government rules on admissions.

The government says under revised admissions rules, restrictions on the expansion of the most popular schools – whether selective or not – are to be scrapped.

The move is being seen as a response to complaints from parents that it is increasingly difficult to secure places at heavily over-subscribed schools.

The plans are likely to be welcomed by supporters of grammar schools as it appears to represent a partial reversal of the Conservative's previous position of blocking the growth of selective schools.

Kent has the largest number of grammars of any area in the country.

However, the new rules would not necessarily clear the way for the creation of any new grammars and opponents of selection say it will add to the pressures on non-selective schools.

The government was proposing that a revised code would permit objections to changes in pupil numbers to be referred to the Schools Adjudicator.

However, a final version of the new code has overturned that and says objections to expansion will not be considered by adjudicators, who arbitrate on issues to do with schools' admissions.

The about-turn has been welcomed by supporters of selection.

Chatham and Aylesford Conservative MP Tracey Crouch said: "All good schools should be allowed to expand and these proposals simply extend the current rules to maintained and grammar schools, which given the pressure on some of Kent's grammars is most welcome."

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson recently called on the government to allow grammars to grow. He said: "This latest announcement can only be good news for grammar schools in Kent.

"I firmly believe grammar schools should be given greater autonomy for expansion and I welcome this opportunity for schools to be able to increase student numbers."

Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon said he hoped the news would give impetus to discussions about a "satellite" grammar school in west Kent, run by an existing grammar.

"There is a measurable demand for new grammar school places here," he said.

However, some fear the move will make it harder to for struggling schools to improve.

Rebecca Matthews, of the Kent campaign group STEP – Stop The Eleven Plus – said: "If there is an unchecked expansion of grammar schools, all you are going to end up with is a growing gap between them and the rest.

"The consequences are that the standards at the remaining schools wiil worsen."

Cllr Mike Whiting, KCC cabinet member for children's services, said: "As a selective authority, we want to ensure that where the population grows, grammar schools are able to provide sufficient places."

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: "Ministers remain of the view that the number of places in a school are best determined by schools themselves."