"GIVE Sevenoaks a grammar school."

That is the clear message from head teachers and parents following a crisis meeting.

On Monday, Amherst Primary head teacher Derry Wiltshire called for a grammar school annex to be set up at the Bradbourne School when the site is vacated by 2013.

This could see an end to the yearly trauma suffered by children who pass their 11-plus only to be told they cannot be found a place at one of the six grammar schools serving West Kent.

Mr Wiltshire told parents: "The problem is getting worse as the years go on.

"Clearly, there is going to come a time when your child will not be able to get into a local grammar school.

"The Bradbourne will become empty. It would seem sensible to turn it into an annex of an existing school in Tonbridge."

More than 200 parents packed into the hall to hear him outline the agonising process that lies ahead for those with children sitting the 11-plus in September.

In previous years, scores have passed the test entitling them to a grammar school place, but have not been offered any of their first three choices.

Instead they have been allocated a place at grammar schools as far away as Dover and Folkestone.

Parents then face a protracted fight through the appeals process to get a place at a West Kent grammar.

Mr Wiltshire believed much of the problem was caused by three schools in particular – The Judd, Skinners and Tonbridge Grammar School.

These schools set their own selection criteria giving preference to children with top marks rather than children living nearby.

Last year this led to 300 West Kent grammar school places being offered to out-of-area children, some living as far away as Hastings and Brighton.

It left 118 children from the area without a West Kent grammar school place.

Giving his assessment of the situation, Mr Wiltshire said: "The three schools that create the problem play no part in the solution."

He urged parents to write to Kent County Council and Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon and call for them either to put pressure on these schools to change their selection criteria, transfer unused grammar school places from East to West Kent and provide a grammar school annex.

He also urged parents to complain about the situation to the independent schools adjudicator by July 31.

Heads of other schools also voiced their support for more grammar school provision.

Christine Barton, head teacher of Dunton Green Primary School, said: "It's distressing for the families and the children and it does need to be looked at to find a way forward."

Sharon Saunders, head teacher of Lady Boswells in Sevenoaks, said: "If there's a way we could provide a grammar school nearby and it could support both boys and girls then great."

Sarah-Jane Tormey, head teacher of St Katharine's School in Knockholt, said: "It would be fantastic to have a Sevenoaks grammar school."

After the meeting, parents rallied behind Mr Wiltshire.

Caroline Platt of Chipstead Road said: "Under the current system, children can wait a year before finding out what school they're going to. That can have an incredible impact."

Details of how to contact the Office of the Schools Adjudicator can be found online at www.schoolsadjudicator. gov.uk/index.cfm