CLAIMS that Bournemouth’s grammar schools are not doing enough for children from poorer backgrounds have been strongly disputed by their head teachers.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said many places are taken by youngsters who would have gone to “some private school outside the area” if they had not got a place.

But Dr Dorian Lewis of Bournemouth School and Alistair Brien of Bournemouth School for Girls said it is not the case and that social mobility is their aim.

At Bournemouth School, Dr Lewis plans to change entry criteria from 2018 to favour children who live in Bournemouth and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

First priority will go to eligible boys who are “looked after” by the local authority followed by those who live in the borough and are in receipt of the Pupil Premium Grant.

Third will be other eligible boys who live in Bournemouth and are not eligible for the grant, followed by eligible boys outside Bournemouth who receive the grant, then those who do not.

Dr Lewis told the Daily Echo: “Even before the latest announcements we were clearly signalling our intention to serve principally the borough of Bournemouth and prioritise developing relationships with the borough’s primary schools to encourage all able students, but especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to apply for a place at the school.

“We believe that in so doing our aim to increasing social mobility would be fulfilled.”

Mr Brien said: “We are fortunate in Bournemouth in now having a whole range of good schools for parents to choose from, which was not always the case in the past.

“Much of the current debate centres on encouraging social mobility. We are already committed to this and have been seeking to work in partnership with local primary schools to encourage families who might not have previously considered a grammar school to sit the test.”

Both head teachers said they were the first members of their families to go to university after attending grammar schools and Dr Lewis added: “I come from a working class background and socially deprived area.”

Prime Minister Theresa May came under fire after announcing a new generation of selective grammar schools with many claiming the plans will undermine comprehensive education.

Education Secretary Justine Greening was questioned by concerned MPs and told them she wanted to offer choice to parents and children.

She stressed she did not intend to turn children into “winners and losers” after hearing about the concerns of many Labour MPs who said extending the grammar school programme could lead to “social segregation.”

Conor Burns said he is concerned that local grammar schools are “not being used for the purpose they were created for - which is to give children from poorer backgrounds a better chance at life.”

He added: “Grammar schools are part of our fantastic education offer but they need to be used correctly.”