A rival bid to open what would be the first 'new' grammar school in the country for 50 years has been announced - but campaigners say it is not one they welcome.

The Weald of Kent Grammar School in Tonbridge says it now wants to be the partner school for a new satellite grammar in Sevenoaks - despite the county council recently revealing that Invicta Grammar in Maidstone was its choice to act as sponsor.

The news has stunned county education chiefs, who are understood not to have been consulted or told in advance about the news.

And campaigners from Sevenoaks say they have had no discussions with the school about its interest and have described the intervention as "shoddy" .

In a letter to parents this week, Weald of Kent grammar headteacher Maureen Johnson said:

?"You may be aware of Kent County Council?s proposals to meet the demand of parents to have a selective school in Sevenoaks.

"I am writing to you to advise you that our Governing Body has decided to restate their commitment to create an annexe of Weald of Kent in Sevenoaks and you may well read something in the media in the forthcoming days on this subject.

"I am keen that as significant partners of our school community, you are made aware of proposals as soon as possible."

The letter goes on to say the school had originally been involved in discussions with KCC but had ended those when governors decided it would be too small.

It had now renewed its interest as KCC wanted a larger school with six forms of entry rather than four.

"Now that KCC are proposing a larger school, Weald of Kent Governors believe that the 'Annexe of Weald of Kent Grammar School in Sevenoaks' is the most viable solution," the letter states.

Campaigners have questioned the reasons for the rival bid.

Sarah Shilling, who led the original campaign for a satellite grammar in Sevenoaks to address the shortage of selective school places there, said Weald of Kent's intervention was "a bit shoddy."

"I think this might be a spoiler. Weald of Kent probably feels under threat over its numbers. I might be being unfair but I wonder if this is a strategy to destabilise the plan.

"We have been really impressed by Invicta - they are very excited about the plan and are a fantastic school."

Invicta held a meeting with other secondary school headteachers from west Kent on Wednesday as part of its consultation on the scheme it wants to develop but it is thought no mention was made about the rival bid.

Weald of Kent has told parents it has opened a consultation with the local community "on the feasibility of establishing a six form entry school, offering 180 places per year group, as an annexe."

If two bids were to come about, it is thought education secretary Michael Gove would have to determine which one should go ahead.