Grammar schools will take on more pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds...sparking a mixed reaction in south Essex.

Education Secretary Justine Greening announced yesterday that new grammar schools will be “truly open for all” and will cater for more “ordinary working families”.

Her comments came following a consultation, which found families with incomes below the national average find it harder to access outstanding schools.

James Courtney is the Tory education councillor for Southend.

He said: “ Grammar schools are one of the best opportunities for children. It’s not about how big daddy’s cheque book is, grammar schools should be accessible for everyone who has the ability to learn there.

“Some children from affluent families are pushed harder to take the 11 plus exam. Some take summer school and are familiarised with the exam format.

“Not all parents can afford that. The exam could be seen similar to an IQ test, where if you take it a number of times you familiarise yourself with the types of questions, increasing your chance of passing.

“We want to give as many children as possible, who are capable of going to grammar school, including those who are not from wealthy backgrounds, to become familiar with the exams.”

He added there will be a summer announcement detailing the council’s plans on how it proposes to increase the number of children attending grammar schools. It comes after figures revealed nearly half of pupils starting in September are from outside the area.

Labour were critical of the plans and urged the Tories to scrap an increase in grammar places and focus on improving state schools.

Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Labour group leader, said grammar schools are a “step back to the Seventies”, divisive and do not support social mobility.

He said: “The Government had no mandate to do this and it isn’t supported by any experts in Essex.

“Form has to be about upskilling the children of Essex to prepare them for the next 30 years and technical colleges are the way to go.

“We need to ensure we give children the chance learn technical skills, not just academic.”