Nearly 80 per cent of youngsters across Hertfordshire have secured a place at their first choice secondary school

Nearly 80 per cent of children have been allocated across Hertfordshire have secured a place at their first choice of secondary school.

Of the 14,752 Hertfordshire children who applied this year, 78 per cent gained a place at their first choice school - 95 per cent of children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools by Hertfordshire County Council.

Over 99 per cent of parents and carers in Hertfordshire applied online and will be emailed the place their child has been allocated this afternoon (Monday). Families who made a paper application will be sent a letter by 1st class post.

Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Education, Libraries and Localism, said: "Moving on to secondary or upper 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 preferred schools.

“We all want the best possible education for our children and we know that the county has excellent schools that perform well above the national average.

“While I appreciate that a small number of parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, I would encourage them to research the school and speak to the head teacher 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.

Parents and carers are advised to accept the school place offered. Accepting the place will not impact upon the appeals or continuing interest processes.

Parents and carers have until March 15, to accept their school place.

More information about the allocation process can be found online.

Read: Here's what Dacorum parents can do if their child does not get their preferred secondary school place