TWO Kent secondary schools are pressing for greater control over how they are run and managed.

Governors of the Weald of Kent Grammar School for Girls in Tonbridge and Maidstone’s Senacre Technology College are proposing both should become foundation schools.

If approved, the move to foundation status will mean they will gain greater independence from the county council, the local education authority.

Although funding will continue to come via Kent County Council, as foundation schools, the two will own their own assets, employ their own staff and gain greater influence over admissions.

The proposals follows recent Government legislation making it easier for all schools to opt for foundation status.

Governors of The Weald of Kent Girls Grammar School say the move will allow them greater freedom and more flexibility.

Future changes to the school, including building new facilities, would not need the county council’s approval while arrangements for admissions will be in the hands of governors rather than the education authority.

The school, which has more than 900 pupils and is a specialist language college, says it intends to continue operating the 11-plus but will have the power to influence how many children are let in on appeal.

Meanwhile, Senacre Technology College says it wants foundation status to bring it into line the two other schools - Cornwallis and Oldborough Manor - it has formally linked with to form the South Maidstone Federation.

The governors of the federation say if the schools remain as they are, it could make managing the federation more difficult in the future.

Kent County Council says that operating a county-wide admissions scheme could become even more complicated if the two schools do move to foundation status.

The proposals will be discussed by members of KCC’s Schools Organisation Advisory Board on Friday.