A GRAMMAR school is at the centre of a row after telling 11-plus "failures" they may be offered a place.

Highsted Grammar Schol at Sittingbourne is now facing an investigation by county education chiefs after it emerged that pupils, some of whom originally failed the exam, are being invited to sit a second test to determine their suitability for a place.

Because of a drop in applications and fewer 11-plus passes, the school has been struggling to fill spare places this year. At one stage, around 30 places, the equivalent of one form of entry, were unfilled.

As a result, governors secretly sanctioned plans to ensure the school had a full complement of pupils by September.

The school has denied actively soliciting fresh applications and says it has only responded to calls from parents. It stressed it had not officially offered any places.

However, a source has told the Kent Messenger that primary schools in the area have been made aware of Highsted's situation and have been asked to "nominate" any pupils who might be academically suited to a grammar school.

Some of these pupils have already failed the 11-plus, had appeals turned down or accepted places elsewhere. Others may not have sat the 11-plus at all.

If children pass Highsted's test, they are told they would have a good chance of securing one in September under what are known as "casual admissions."

Highsted chairman of governors Sue Norris said: "I cannot see there is a problem. We are not offering places, only offering advice. What we have said is that it might be worthwhile them applying in September."

There was no question of the school filling places to avoid a cash crisis. "We are not just taking in children for the sake of making up places."

Under Kent's arrangements, fewer pupils had succeeded in appeals, she added.

But neighbouring non-selective schools are privately infuriated by the move, after concerted efforts to try and improve co-operation among the area's secondary schools this year.

It could mean they, in turn, will lose pupils - but will not know if that is the case until the start of the school year.

Westlands headteacher Alan Burchett said: "We are trying to resolve the issue. At the moment, there is a lot of rumour and speculation but there are concerns we need to address and we are seeking some clarification."

Fulston Manor head Alan Brookes echoed: "The situation is a little unclear. We have worked hard to move forward as a group of schools in the face of very difficult admissions arrangements this year."

Dr Ian Craig, KCC's assistant education chief, confirmed an investigation was underway.

"Highsted is an LEA community school and has to abide by the admissions rules so we do need to talk to the governing body about their admissions criteria and their ability or not to offer places. As I understand matters, we will be telling them they cannot do this."

Under the statutorily agreed county-wide admissions arrangements, it is the local education authority that allocates places at secondary schools and determines appeals.

Schools themselves do not offer places as KCC acts as the "clearing house" for applications and administers the appeals process.