TWO head teachers have defended their schools' admission criteria following criticism of the lack of grammar school places for Sevenoaks youngsters.

Tonbridge Grammar School, The Judd School, in Tonbridge, and The Skinners' School, in Tunbridge Wells, have been blamed for the lack of places for bright youngsters because they select children purely on the basis of how well they do in their 11-plus exam with no regard to where they live.

DESIGN FLAIR: Katie Foreman with her AS textiles work at The Bradbourne School's art exhibition SL2206105/3
Georgia HArte-Fisk with her A2 art work at The Bradbourne School's art exhibition Metamorphosis on Tuesday evening. SL2206105/4
Students on the catwalk at The Bradbourne School's art exhibition Metamorphosis on Tuesday evening. SL2206105/1
KNOCKOUT: Charles Darwin
ADMISSION: The Judd School head Robert Masters
Kieran Webster, left and Ryan Thresher, both 11, on the homegrown stall at the St John's Primary School fete on Thursday last week PV2406104/254
TRY YOUR DUCK: Nathan Staples, 2, at the St John's Primary School fete PV2406104/214
The lucky dip at the St John's Primary School fete on Thursday last week PV2406104/233
Year One teacher Martha Cunningham facepainting Johurah Zaman, five, at the St John's Primary School fete on Thursday last week PV2406104/199
POLICY: Tonbridge Grammar head Rosemary Joyce

In previous years children from Sevenoaks have been allocated places as far away as Dover and Folkestone because there were no places available in West Kent.

Robert Masters, head teacher of The Judd boys' school, said the school's admissions policy had been reviewed by an official adjudicator and was found to be legal and acceptable.

He said: "The governors set the arrangements and they are content with them, but they do spend a lot of time reviewing them and taking them into account.

"Sevenoaks children can't get into Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys on distance," he added, referring to problems with a criteria based on distance.

He argued boys who qualify for a selective place tended to get into grammar schools, but the situation was more difficult for girls.

Another problem he highlighted was the education authority setting the passing score too low.

Amherst Primary School head teacher Derry Wiltshire said Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys better serves the Sevenoaks community, and had expanded their classes to take in more children on its distance-based criteria.

Mr Wiltshire, who has been particularly vocal in criticising the system, added as The Judd could set its own entry criteria it could do what it liked, but it needed to pay more attention to the effect it was having on the community.

Tonbridge Grammar School head teacher Rosemary Joyce said her school's admission policy fully complies with national requirements which permit places to be offered on rank score.

She added her school offered the vast majority of its Year Seven places to grammar-assessed students living within the 11-plus area of Kent, meaning students in Sevenoaks stand the same chance of getting a place at Tonbridge Grammar School as students who live much closer to the school.

"A limited number of governor places are available to those who live outside the 11-plus area of Kent", she added.

Simon Everson, head teacher of The Skinners School, was unavailable for comment.

A Department of Education spokesman said a grammar school's admissions criteria was up to its governing body.

Families wishing to apply for a grammar place for their child must do so by tomorrow. Visit www.kent.gov.uk/ola