A new grammar school could be on the cards for south west London, according to Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell.
Following yesterday’s announcement that Kent will see the first new grammar school in 50 years, it seems Croydon may be following suit.
The plans, which sidestepped the ban on new grammar schools through affiliation with an already established school nearby, have sparked discussion about a similar development taking place in Croydon.
Mr Barwell said: “I think yesterday’s announcement definitely opens up the potential for a grammar annex in Croydon.”
It is thought that Wallington County Grammar boys’ school is interested in the idea of opening a Croydon annex in the future.
The MP thinks having annexes which act as satellites to already established Bromley and Sutton grammar schools in Croydon would be welcomed.
Croydon children who attend grammar schools currently face an every day journey of up to 40 minutes.
Mr Barwell said: “Parents in my constituency would love to be able to send their children to grammar schools that are a bit closer to home.”
The introduction of a grammar school annex in Croydon has long been on the list for the MP who made his stance on the subject clear in his last election manifesto.
His manifesto reads: “Although we don’t want to return to the 11+ with grammar schools and secondary moderns, we would love to see a couple of the grammar schools in neighbouring Bromley and Sutton open satellite schools here in Croydon.”
The shadow education secretary Lucy Powell has described the decision to give grammar annexes the go ahead as “a hugely backward step.”
Image courtesy of BBC parliament via YouTube, with thanks
