Headteachers of two top Kent Grammar schools have rubbished allegations they have employed unlawful tactics to ensure the best A level grades.

The claims made by education expert and former headteacher Peter Read against Maidstone's Invicta Grammar School and Maidstone Grammar School for Girls (MGGS) have been widely circulated online.

In a blog post he alleges Invicta pressured under performing students into leaving half way through sixth form, while MGGS went against its own selection policy to pick pupils predicted to do well in their GCSEs regardless of where they lived.

The claims are backed up by a number of anonymised comments sent to Mr Read by parents and students.

Twenty-two pupils left Invicta after year 12 and while Mr Read claims they were told to quit and were offered no further support the school says the decisions were entirely voluntary.

Julie Derrick, headteacher of Invicta, said this was an interpretation by some pupils and Invicta will always support students to do what is "best for them."

MGGS head Deborah Stanley said: "I would like to make it clear the comments about our admissions are unfounded.

"As a school we adhere to and have admitted students into our sixth form in accordance with our admissions policy."

Mr Read goes on to say the policies leave many students feeling like they are on "life's scrap heap" and with only one college in Kent offering A levels their options are shrinking.