PARENTS are being asked to give their views on proposed changes to school admission rules.

Education bosses at Hertfordshire County Council are considering adjusting the way they measure the distance between a child’s home and their chosen school.

The council currently uses the shortest route by road or pavement, but could alter to an as-the-crow-flies straight line.

Public consultation on the proposals opens today and runs until February 26.

The authority is also asking for feedback on its admissions arrangements for nurseries, community and voluntary-controlled schools and sixth-forms.

Cllr Richard Thake, executive member for education and skills, said: “I hope as many people as possible will respond to this consultation as we really want to hear what they think.

“Despite our best efforts, our current system of ‘shortest designated route’ is not well understood.

“Our new proposal is that we change to a ‘straight line distance’ measurement which is simpler, less open to dispute and is now the norm in most local authorities – in fact seven of the nine local authorities surrounding Hertfordshire already use this method.”

The documents can be viewed on the council’s website, see link right.