Hertfordshire County Council has revealed that 21% of children missed out on their first choice of secondary school.

Despite a slight increase in the number of applications compared to last year, more children have been allocated a place at one of their ranked schools.

Of the 13,189 Hertfordshire children who applied this year, 12,533 have a place at a preferred school (95 per cent) and 10,454 children (79 per cent) gained a place at their first ranked school.

Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire found out the place their child had been allocated yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, March 1.

David Williams, cabinet member for enterprise, education and skills, said: “While I appreciate that a small number of parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, I would encourage them to visit the school and speak to the headteacher before dismissing the offered place. They may be pleasantly surprised by what they see.”

All applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any Hertfordshire schools named higher on the application form than the school offered.

All new applications for continuing interest must be made to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in Hertfordshire.

School places must be accepted by March 15, 2016. This is also the last date to ‘opt out’ of continuing interest for community and voluntary controlled schools. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on April 1, 2016.

Further detailed information about the post allocation processes can be found online at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions

Are you happy with the school place your child has been allocated?

Get in touch with the WHT, email news@whtimes.co.uk or call 01707 376323