SOUTHEND’S grammar schools have been a consistent success story.

Even those opposed to selective education have to admit that these are jewels in the educational crown.

Not that such opposition makes any impact. In south Essex, there is little or no groundswell against the continued existence of grammar schools.

Controversy revolves around another issue. How far should grammar school places be the reserve of the children of Southend residents? In recent years, an increasing proportion of the intake has come from outside the borough. This year it soared by a startling 20 per cent.

A generation ago, Southend fought a bitter but triumphant battle to preserve its grammar schools, while hundreds of other fine schools across the UK were being closed. Natural justice would seem to dictate that the town should benefit from having the guts to fight the politicians in the Seventies, and that Southend children should have priority.

Instead, with one exception, the grammar schools have their hands bound. Yet there appears to be a strange lack of momentum among parents and primary schools when it comes to grammar applications. If the supply of bright youngsters is insufficient locally, outsiders will take up the places.

If the situation is to be resolved, the resolution must come from within Southend itself, not by raising the floodgates against outsiders.