THE headteacher of a secondary school has rejected claims that he is "blackmailing" parents over the 11-plus examination.

Doug Kimber, the head of Maplesden Noakes School at Maidstone, strongly defended the school’s admissions policy which gives a higher priority to those who make it their first choice and do not enter the 11-plus.

The policy of offering conditional and unconditional places has been adopted by Maplesden and 14 other non-selective secondary schools across the county.

County education chiefs last week renewed their attack on the policy complaining that it amounted to blackmail. Cllr Paul Carter, Conservative cabinet member for education, said it was wrong and bad for parents.

But Mr Kimber said the policy was far fairer to those parents and children who genuinely wanted to go to a non-selective school.

“We want to give the best opportunity we can to those parents who genuinely want their children to come here. That is what this is about. The Kent policy is clearly one in which grammar schools come first and that is what is responsible for putting pressure on the 11-plus system,” he said.

Parents who had no interest in their child attending a grammar school deserved to have their applications treated as fairly as those entering the 11-plus, he added.

“There is a large group of parents who also need a fair chance and a fair opportunity. I do not regard it as blackmail but having an admissions policy which is fairer.”

Two other Maidstone schools have opted for the same policy – St Simon Stock and Oldborough Manor.