Bromley Council votes to support expansion of selective school places in the borough (From News Shopper)

Bromley Council votes to support expansion of selective school places in the borough

5:26pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Bromley By Rachel Conner

BROMLEY Council has come out in favour of grammar schools after pledging to support them expand.

The council passed a motion to say it would support the two selective schools in the borough to try and provide extra places.

Currently councils cannot set up new grammar schools, but existing selective schools are allowed to create satellite campuses.

Councillor Nicholas Bennett, who put forward the motion, said it would send a signal to selective schools that the council would welcome the principle of extending selective education.

He added that there was clearly demand from parents.

Grammar schools St Olaves and Newstead Wood, which are both in Orpington, are both heavily oversubscribed.

The only councillor to speak against the motion was Labour leader Cllr John Getgood.

He said: “The overall system suffers because of exclusivity. It leaves the vast majority assigned to second rated schools with fewer resources.

“We have a good system in Bromley - why would we want to put it at risk?”