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The green light has been given for the first new grammar school in 50 years.

Approval for the 450-pupil school - an extension of an existing grammar in Kent - was confirmed by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

In a written statement, she insisted the decision was not a change in the government's position on selective schools.

Labour passed laws in 1998 banning the creation of new grammars - which are selective state schools - but existing schools are allowed to expand if there is sufficient demand.

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The Sevenoaks school is not covered by the ban because it is officially an annexe of Weald of Kent Grammar School in Tonbridge.

Mrs Morgan's statement said: "I am satisfied that this proposal represents a genuine expansion of the existing school and that there will be integration between the two sites in terms of leadership, management, governance, admissions and curriculum.

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"I am also satisfied that the excellent quality of learning currently delivered will be replicated across the newly-expanded school."

She added: "My decision in this case has been taken on the basis of the proposal from the Weald of Kent, in line with legislation and criteria determining what constitutes an expansion.

"It does not reflect a change in this Government's position on selective schools.

"Rather it reaffirms our view that all good schools should be able to expand, a policy which is vital to meet the significant increase in demand for pupil places in coming years."

The new site is expected to open to pupils in September 2017.

The new site is about seven miles from the existing Weald of Kent school.

Campaigners in favour of more grammar schools have argued that scrapping the 11-plus test in most areas of the country has hampered social mobility for bright pupils from poor backgrounds.

But critics argue that entry to selective schools is often restricted to those wealthier youngsters whose parents can afford private tuition or extra help, with those from poorer backgrounds more likely to miss out.

London mayor Boris Johnson has described the decline of the grammar school system as a ''tragedy''.

Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said that "all good schools" should have the right to expand, including grammars, an assertion echoed by Mrs Morgan.

In her statement today, the Education Secretary said: "It is this Government's policy that all good and outstanding schools should be able to expand to offer excellent places to local students.

"The Weald of Kent Grammar School is one of the top performing schools in the country, with 99% of its students achieving five A*-C grades in GCSE exams in 2014, and 98% of sixth form students achieving at least three A-Levels at grades A*-E."

She said that further extension applications from good selective schools will be considered under the current laws and would have to show that they are a genuine expansion.