The application process for secondary schools - including upper, studio schools or university technical colleges - opened this week.

Hertfordshire County Council has advised parents to apply for a place in good time.

The easiest way to apply for a school place for September 2016 is to visit www.hertsdirect.org/admissions and complete the online application form.

The online applications system is secure and forms can be amended at any time up to the closing date.

Parents can access their school offer before allocation letters are received and accept your school allocation online.

Last year, 99 per cent of parents applied online and 95 per cent of children in Hertfordshire were allocated one of their four ranked primary or secondary schools.

David Williams, cabinet member for Enterprise, Education and Skills, said: “We have a good track record of getting children a place at one of the preferred schools and understand this is very important to parents and carers.

“We want all children to have access to a good education so they can reach their full potential, with the right number of school places in the right location.

"This is a significant challenge given there are 10,000 more children under the age of four in Hertfordshire today than a decade ago. However, we are committed to ensuring that where the county’s population grows we build the appropriate infrastructure and since 2012 we have spent £170m to provide more than 3,000 additional reception places.

"Despite our hard work, we are not always able to completely satisfy parental preference. I would urge parents to carefully consider the preferences they make and to visit local schools before applying.”

The closing date for secondary and upper applications is October 31. It is vital that parents make their applications on time.

Parents are advised to check www.hertsdirect.org/admissions for any updates to the published admission arrangements or timescales, and for advice on where to find extra help about applying for places.