NEARLY 95 per cent of Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their three preferred secondary schools.

Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire found out which school their child has got into last night.

This year 11,901 children in the county have been allocated one of their ranked schools, a success rate of 94.7 per cent, despite an increase in the number of applicants. 79.13 per cent, of children gained a place at their first ranked school.

Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Moving on to secondary school is an important step and we work extremely hard to make the applications and allocation process smooth and straightforward.

“We want to ensure that as many children as possible get a place at one of their ranked schools.

“We all want the best possible education for children in Hertfordshire and the county has excellent schools. I do appreciate that some parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, but 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. I would advise all parents to accept the place they have been offered.

Accepting the school place will not affect a continuing interest application of appeal result.”

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

• Did your child miss out on their preferred school? Call the newsdesk on 07785 616272 or email news@whtimes.co.uk