EDUCATION chiefs are to push ahead with plans to bring forward the timing of the 11-plus in the face of opposition from some schools, including several grammars.

County councillors backed the move at a meeting on Wednesday, although a final decision is likely to be some months away as Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families will have the final say.

Some headteachers say bringing forward the timing to September from this year will put schools, children and parents under further pressure and that it is too early for pupils to sit the test.

Under KCC's plans, children in Year Six who want to apply for a grammar school place will now have to take the test in September, barely a fortnight after the summer holidays. Currently, children sit the tests in January.

Education chiefs the move will allow parents to know the results before applying for secondary school places, a change which is in line with new government guidance.

But Robert Straker, who represents the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in Kent said: "If testing takes place in September the potential for stress is enormous. Parents of July and August born children will be making decisions about their child aged 11 whilst they are still nine years old.

"Summer holidays will be ruined as very anxious parents try to 'cram' their child to maximise the possibility of a grammar school place. Whilst testing before preference is ideal, surely the administration can do as other local authorities and test in November?"

It was wrong if "administrative convenience" dictated the timing, he added.

Among the 22 secondary schools that oppose the switch to an earlier date are six selective schools.

Weald of Kent girls grammar school said the move would increase the emotional pressure and stress on pupils, saying it would be better in November.

Tonbridge Grammar School and Dover Grammar believe pupils whose parents are prepared to pay for private tutoring will be at an unfair advantage while others argued that testing in November will disadvantage boys, whose development often lags behind girls.

Cllr Mark Dance (Con), KCC's cabinet member for schools, said that 60 per cent of parents had supported the proposal in KCC's public consultation.