Primary school places: over 87 percent of Hertfordshire children have been allocated their first preference

Over 97 per cent of Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred primary schools.

Of the 13,850 applications for reception places received for Hertfordshire children, 13,512 have been allocated a ranked primary school. Of these over 87 per cent (12,090) were allocated their first ranked school.

Taking into account allocations to junior and middle schools, over 16,500 Hertfordshire families will be informed of their offer of a school place today or tomorrow.

Parents and carers in Hertfordshire who have confirmed their email address will be sent their allocations this afternoon (Friday). Allocation information will then be made available online.

Simon Newland, Operations Director of Education at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Starting Primary school is an important step and we want all children to have access to a good education so they can reach their full potential.

“Given the significant growth in the primary school population over the last decade, we have been committed to ensuring that we have the right number of school places in the right locations.

"We are also working alongside free schools and academies to attract extra funding for more school places where they are most needed.

“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 Friday, April 30. This is also the last date to 'opt out' of continuing interest.

The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on May 21, 2021. Further information concerning post allocation processes is available on the Hertfordshire County Council website.