We Love Rickmansworth

Over 95 per cent of parents in Watford, Rickmansworth, Bushey and other Hertfordshire towns have been allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary schools, the county council has announced this week.

Some 11,965 children in the county have been allocated one of their ranked schools, bringing the success rate up to 95.48 per cent, an increase of 2.63 per cent over 2009. Just over 80 per cent of Hertfordshire children have gained a place at their first ranked school. Parents and carers were sent their notification letters by first class post on Monday and those that applied online could access their results yesterday (Tuesday).

Richard Thake, executive member for education and skills, said: "Moving on to secondary school is an important step and we work extremely hard to make the allocation process smooth and straightforward.  We want to ensure that as many children as possible get a place at one of their ranked schools.

“In particular we have been working closely with schools in the Harpenden area and have created 27 additional places within three oversubscribed schools for 2010-11. In the long term, we are seeking to increase capacity in south west Hertfordshire so that more children get a place at a preferred local school.

"We all want the best possible education for children in Hertfordshire and the county has excellent schools. I do appreciate that some parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, but 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.”

This year, all those applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any schools named higher on the application form than the school offered.

Parents that are happy with the school they have been offered and do not wish to pursue other preferences through the continuing interest process should 'opt out' of continuing interest before 16 March.  Otherwise they risk losing the original school offered as the allocation will automatically be updated if they are successful at continuing interest.

Further information can be found in the Secondary - What Can You Do Now? leaflet, which is included with the allocation letters for all children who have not been offered their first preference school. This leaflet which explains the continuing interest process and how to appeal is also available on the website www.hertsdirect.org/admissions.

School places must be accepted by March 16. This is also the last date to 'opt out' of continuing interest for community and voluntary controlled schools. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on March 22 2010.