Dozens of Hatfield children not offered primary school places

Dozens of Hatfield families were left facing an anxious wait after their children were not offered a primary school place.

Nearly 18,000 families were informed of junior and middle school offers today (Tuesday), but allocations for 48 Hatfield children were delayed.

A county council spokeswoman said the nearest alternatives were in other villages and towns, so places had not been offered at this stage.

Jenny Coles, the council’s director of children’s services, said: “Although allocations for these families will be delayed for a month, I am confident that every child not currently offered a school place will be offered one at the first run of continuing interest.”

It comes as 96 per cent of youngsters in Hertfordshire were offered a spot in one of their ranked schools.

She added: “I recognise this is always a difficult time for parents but firmly believe that delaying allocations for a small number of families is preferable to allocating a place at a school outside the local area.”

After the application process closed, 30 additional places were made available at both Birchwood Avenue Primary School and De Havilland Primary School.

Those children currently not allocated a place will be automatically put on the continuing interest list for any schools named higher on their application.

The council spokeswoman said that families should be offered a place at the first run of continuing interest in the week commencing May 19.

Of the 14,727 reception applications in Hertfordshire, 14,188 were allocated a ranked primary school, 85 per cent of which got their first-choice.

The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on May 19.

Information concerning post-allocation processes, including school summary reports, is available on the county council’s website.

Parents and carers in Hertfordshire who have registered an email address will be sent their allocations from 4pm today.