The first grammar schools to benefit from extra cash from the Government's policy of expanding selective education have been named.

Education secretary Damian Hinds published the list of 16 schools which will receive share a £50m fund.

He said the schools had agreed to admit disadvantaged children as part of the expansion plan and have also committed to a variety of 'outreach initiatives'.

These include Queen Mary’s High School in Walsall which will set up help desks in partner primary schools to help parents register children for the selection test and answer any questions they may have.

Mr Hinds said: 'One of the stand-out features of this country’s education system is its diversity, and selective schools are an important part of that.

'They include some of the best schools in this country, with almost all selective schools rated good or outstanding, and they are popular with parents.

'So it is right that when there is need for more places in an area, these schools should be able to expand – as other schools can – to enable as many children as possible to benefit.'

'I have always been clear that selective schools will only be able to expand if they meet the high bar we have set for increasing access for disadvantaged children, and all of these schools have done that.

'As a result, countless more children from disadvantaged areas will benefit from places at outstanding schools.'

The schools are:

• Altrincham Grammar School for Boys (Trafford)
• Bournemouth School (Bournemouth)
• Bournemouth School for Girls (Bournemouth)
• Chelmsford County High School (Essex)
• Colchester County High School (Essex)
• Colyton Grammar School (Devon)
• John Hampden Grammar School (Buckinghamshire)
• Kendrick School (Reading)
• Lawrence Sheriff School (Warwickshire)
• Queen Mary’s Grammar School (Walsall)
• Queen Mary’s High School (Walsall)
• Sir Thomas Rich’s School (Gloucestershire)
• Sir William Borlase’s Grammar school (Buckinghamshire)
• St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School (Barnet)
• Rochester Grammar School (Medway)
• Wolverhampton Girls High School (Wolverhampton)