Good news for 87.5% of applicants as Hertfordshire County Council confirms primary school places

Seven out of eight Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at their first choice of primary school starting in September.

According to the county council, of the 13,224 applications for reception places received, 11,581 (87.5%) have been allocated their first-ranked primary. A total of 12,939 (97.84%) were allocated one of their four preferred schools.

Including allocations to junior and middle schools, 15,804 Hertfordshire children were offered a place on Wednesday (April 16).

Parents and carers in the county who have confirmed their email addresses were sent their allocations on Wednesday. Allocation information will be made available online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/primaryoptions.

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

Any new applications for continuing interest must be made to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in the county.

School places must be accepted by Friday May 2. This is also the last date to opt out of continuing interest. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on Tuesday May 20.

Tony Fitzpatrick, the county council’s director of education, said: “Giving every child the best possible start in life by securing a place at a good school is all part of our vision to ensure healthy and fulfilling lives for our residents.

“We want every child in Hertfordshire to be able to achieve their full potential, and with the county’s schools performing better than the national average, we’re confident that we’re giving young people the best start in life.

“We work hard to make the applications and allocation process smooth and straightforward, and to ensure that as many children as possible get a place at one of their preferred schools.

“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.”

For more details, see www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/primaryoptions.