Kent grammar schools: Record 11-plus pass rate

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, A record number of pupils passed the Kent Test

More children from outside of Kent have passed the county's 11-plus style exam than ever before.

About 7,400 pupils passed the exam - which determines whether they can apply for a grammar school - but Kent only has 5,060 places.

Of those who passed, 2,757 are from outside Kent - up by nearly 600 compared to last year.

Kent County Council told parents local children will be given priority.

The number of places for the 2018 academic year has increased by 101 following the opening of England's first "new" grammar school in 50 years, but council leader Paul Carter said that is not enough.

Image caption, The council believes more grammar school places are needed

Mr Carter said: "Our track record of delivering grammar school places for all Kent children who have passed the Kent test has been very good.

"Virtually every child that wants a place gets a place.

"Sometimes the distance from home is a determinant, because there is pressure on grammar school places where we haven't been allowed to expand grammar schools to the same extent we have been allowed to expand high schools."

The pass rate of the 15,937 pupils taking the test was just under 50%.

Parents have until the end of the month to apply for a grammar school place for their child and name their preferred schools.

They will not find out if they have been successful until March.