Commenting on the statement from Comprehensive Futures on the new Weald of Kent grammar school Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said:

“Ministers’ smoke and mirrors over the application for a new grammar school by the Weald of Kent shows their contempt for transparent decision making and accountability. By repeatedly refusing to publish the application for this new school or the legal advice the Secretary of State received so that it can be properly scrutinised, the government has further called into question the legality of the move.

“Grammar schools do nothing to close the attainment gap between more disadvantaged pupils and their peers and they are certainly not the answer to the challenge of social mobility. If the government really cared about ensuring a good local school for every child they would end their fixation with grammars and focus on delivering an excellent education for all children in all communities. Labour will continue to oppose strongly any new grammar school as we work to ensure the best start for every child.”