Secondary school allocations revealed TONIGHT as 95% of pupils get a preferred choice

Most parents and guardians across Herts will be able to access their secondary transfer allocation information after 6pm, as messages will be sent to those who confirmed their email addresses.

According to Herts County Council, a total of 95% of the area’s children have been given a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools, though only just under 78% gained a place at their top ranked institution.

This, the local authority says, is despite the number of applications having increased by more than 400 on last year.

This year 12,488 children in the county have a place at a preferred school with 10,232 children gaining a place at their first ranked school.

County council cabinet member for education and skills Chris Hayward 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 ranked schools.

“We all want the best possible education for children in Hertfordshire 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 visit the school and speak to the headteacher before dismissing the offered place. They may be pleasantly surprised by what they see.”

A total of 99% of parents applied online for their chosen schools this year.

The county council will only send allocation letters to parents and carers who applied on paper or those who applied online but did not confirm their email address.

Parents and carers who applied online will be able to accept the school place offered online, as well as pursuing a continuing interest place and lodging an appeal.

All applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any county schools named higher on the application form than the school offered. 
All new applications for continuing interest must be made to Herts County Council.

School places must be accepted by Monday, March 16. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on April 2, 2015.

For more information, visit www.hertsdirect.org/admissions.