Dear Mr Hammond

Thank you for your letter of 22 February in response to mine of 4 February about the petition on the future of selective admissions in Kent.

As you will know, the regulations provide that any 10 or more people are entitled to notify in writing the ERS that they intend to organise a petition. The request for a petition threshold to be set in Kent is valid and the ERS are in the process of drawing up the electoral register.

Ministers do not believe that it is necessary to make any changes to current arrangements for campaigners wishing to organise a petition. The petition and ballot process ensures that no changes to the selective admissions to grammar schools can occur without the support of local parents.

Ministers believe that current arragements are the best way to deliver their commitment on existing selective schools, and do not intend to legislate further on this.

Yours sincerely,

Gabriela Grimley

Schools Admissions Team 1