Parents have hit out at claims their children's schools are failing.

Kentonline readers responded in their droves after we publshed the list of 33 schools in Kent and seven in Medway said to need improvement by the government.

The government claimed Kent schools need to shape up or get ready to ship out.

But the message from Kentonline visitors is 'you'll have to go through us first!' – Any school that does not have at least 30 per cent of pupils achieving five A to C grade GCSEs, including English and Maths, has three years to improve or face being shut down and replaced with a new ‘trust’ school.

It seems many parents can’t believe the Government’s assessments of these so-called ‘failing’ schools.

Jane Brooke, from Canterbury, said: “My son is at Chaucer School where he is thriving.

“You can't expect the schools to take the blame when they have to provide an education for pupils of all abilities, some of whom simply couldn't care less about learning.

“Let's celebrate the all ability schools whose teachers work really hard to motivate and encourage less able children AND achieve good results for the more able.”

Michael Chronotis is the partner of a member of staff at Whitstable Commuity College, and said: “There is actually not very much wrong with the overall test results of this school, it's just that the criteria for assessing success or failure of a school focuses on just two subjects.

“That is a little like turning Stephen Hawking away from a university because he's a bit of an underperformer at Rugby and metal-work. “

A lot of anger was levied at grammar schools and the 11 plus exam system.

Peggy Pyrer, of Bridge near Canterbury, remarked: “If the 25 per cent of children creamed off to attend grammar schools were to remain in the county's secondary schools, the numbers not reaching the targets would of course be greatly reduced.”

Jane Hale, from Ashford: “Looking at the list for the Ashford area, that more or less covers all the secondary schools. So unless your child goes to a selective or private school there is no hope of them receiving at least a fair standard or education?”

It was the use of private tutors that really angered Katie Brown, from Chatham: “I know somebody who spent £5,000 tutoring their child to get through the eleven plus.

“The areas that have grammar schools are those with the largest number of failing schools. This is not a coincidence. They get the best children, and attract the best staff, and it is an old fashioned unfair system.”

But this was refuted by several visitors, including Francis Empson, from Margate: “I know a high number, myself included, who did not spend anything getting our children through (the eleven plus). Old-fashioned encouragement from their teachers and parents helped them succeed.

She added: “It cannot be claimed that the failing schools get less money with the Marlowe Academy being the best example.

“Maybe it is just not being used correctly by those in charge at the schools.”