A grammar school in Chatham has launched a new consultation on plans to admit girls, just months after the Department for Education vetoed the proposal.

School bosses at Holcombe Grammar School in Letchworth Avenue have launched a consultation on plans to become coeducational from September 2018, just two months after the Department for Education rejected plans to admit girls from next year.

The main reason for the move was a huge under-subscription to the school.

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust, which sponsors the school formerly called Chatham Grammar School for Boys, claims the change would meet demand in the Medway area and give parents a wider choice.

Under the proposal priority for school places would be given to pupils studying at the primaries within the trust.

The Trust also argues that a coeducational grammar school would help alleviate the need for extra places in other grammar schools.

Juliet Diaz, principal, said: “The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is launching the consultation with a view to applying for Holcombe Grammar School to become coeducational from 2018 because the change would permit us to better serve the needs of all students in the local area.

“This summer our students achieved another set of outstanding GCSE and A level results, and we want to widen the high-quality education opportunities that Holcombe Grammar School provides to girls as well as boys.”

Stuart Gardner, chief executive of TSAT, said: “We believe there is much support for our proposal, especially from those who want the choice of sending their sons and daughters to a coed grammar school in the local area, and from the wider community.

"We very much want to continue working with all existing schools in the area for the wider benefit of young people here, and we are clear that places for boys will not be reduced.

“We believe that admitting girls to the school remains an exciting proposition that would be of real benefit to young people in our community, and as a result have launched the consultation to improve our proposal with the help of parents, carers, and everyone else whom we serve.”

Chatham MP Tracey Crouch opposes plans for the school to become coeducational and welcomed the Department for Education’s decision in September.

She said: “I am due to meet the executive principal next week to discuss the plans, but I remain opposed to the school becoming coeducational.”

Independent education advisor, Peter Read, said: “If this proposal were accepted, there would be three single sex girls’ grammar schools and just one heavily oversubscribed boys’ grammar. Now that truly is an imbalance of opportunity and grossly unfair to boys.”

The consultation runs until January 3, 2017. For more information visit www.cgsb.co.uk