A GRAMMAR school caught up in a row over plans to admit pupils who failed the 11-plus is now facing a cash crisis.

The school’s problems have come to a head after Kent County Council blocked it from offering spare places to pupils. Highsted School in Sittingbourne now has 20 vacancies it cannot fill and stands to lose funding as a result.

Sources say the school could be in de-ficit by £50,000, but governors, who were due to meet this week to discuss the issue, would not speculate on the figure.

County education chiefs acted after the Kent Messenger revealed how the school had unofficially offered places to children who had “passed” a second test after failing to win a place on appeal.

Other schools in the area complained about the practice, saying it was illegal and would leave them with fewer pupils and less money.

Now it has emerged Highsted is facing exactly that problem. Although parents who lost their appeal were offered a re-hearing by KCC, just five of the 14 who took up the opportunity had them upheld and have now been given places at the school.

Highsted chairman of governors Sue Norris conceded the school could face some awkward decisions.

“The issue is high on our agenda,” she said. “We have 20 vacancies in Year 7, which means we are depriving children of an education we feel they are suited to. Obviously, it has financial implications for the school. I hope that it won’t mean awkward decisions but we cannot rule anything out.” The school had hoped more parents would be successful with their second appeals but that has not proved to be the case.