David Cameron appears to have given his blessing to plans for the first “new” grammar school in Kent.

Asked about the issue today he said:

“I strongly support the right of all good schools to expand. I think that’s very important and that should include grammar schools. Under this government, grammar schools have been able to expand and that is all to the good.”

He added: “I don’t want to pre-empt [Nicky Morgan’s] decision, that’s a decision for the education secretary to make. But the principle is very clear: good schools should have the freedom to expand.”

The government’s decision on the annexe in Sevenoaks, sponsored by the Weald of Kent Girls Grammar, is being seen as politically important ahead of the election.

Although it would not be a ‘new’ school, it is seen as a test of the Conservative party’s attitude to school selection.

“We put out a very good case and explained that this was a basic need – we need to expand the grammar school provision alongside high school provision" - Paul Carter

Several MPs, including the Ashford MP Damian Green, have recently pushed for the party’s policy to block new grammars be scrapped.

KCC Conservative leader Paul Carter has urged the government to reach a decision about the new grammar school annexe in west Kent before the election.

His call follows a meeting with education secretary Nicky Morgan about the satellite grammar school in Sevenoaks for 90 girls.

Mr Carter said: “We put out a very good case and explained that this was a basic need – we need to expand the grammar school provision alongside high school provision; there is a pressure on places in this part of the county.”

He added: “We believe the submission we have put before the Department for Education is within the regulations for the establishment of grammar school annexes. We have given them every good reason to say ‘yes’ and we very much hope that they do.”

“I very much hope they do before the election. We will be putting on pressure to ensure they do.”

Chairman of governors at the school David Bower said the DfE was asking a lot of technical questions about the scheme.

“We gave them all the information they asked for. We have looked at every aspect and are doing this for the benefit of children who live in Sevenoaks,” he said.

KCC has already secured planning consent for the former Wildernesse School site in Sevenoaks to be redeveloped.

Labour county councillors have criticised the money spent on the plans, saying the £2.5m spent already was excessive.