SOUTHEND’S grammar schools would be “delighted” if they could welcome more pupils from the town.

Headteachers from the four grammars spoke out after councillors criticised the number of local youngsters securing selective places.

Statistics released by Southend Council showed the number of children from Southend primary schools being sent to the grammars every year has fallen from 296 in 2004 to 217 last year.

But Mike Skelly, headteacher at Westcliff High School for Boys, said the schools were doing everything they could to change that trend.

He said: “The heads feel strongly that their grammar schools should be recruiting greater numbers of local children.

“We have approached the local authority, and by working together we hope to understand the variation in numbers entering and passing the 11-plus test across the borough’s primary schools.”