THE head of a local teaching group has warned opening a new grammar school in the area could lead to "overcapacity" – the problem of there being too many places available for the children needing them.

Kent County Council (KCC) is currently consulting regarding the possibility of a new school opening in the district.

But Stuart Reeves, head teacher of Mascalls School in Paddock Wood and chairman of West Kent Learning Forum, said his fellow forum members were "wary" of the prospect of a new grammar school in Sevenoaks.

The group, made up of head teachers, met KCC education chief Mike Whiting on Thursday.

Mr Reeves described the meeting as "very positive" and said the forum was keen to work closely with KCC.

But he admitted he was unsure how successful the idea of bringing a grammar school to Sevenoaks would be.

He added: "I'm not sure the appetite for it exists and it may be that it brings schools to overcapacity."