More children will be travelling from outside the county to schools in south west Hertfordshire this September.

Hertfordshire County Council figures released today show 95 per cent of children in the county were allocated a place at a secondary school.

This will leave five per cent needing to find a school elsewhere. 

But the number of children travelling from neighbouring counties is also set to increase, with additional children travelling to a school in Watford, Three Rivers or Bushey.

Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford Grammar School for Girls, St Joan of Arc Catholic School in Rickmansworth, St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood, Rickmansworth School in Rickmansworth, Queens’ School in Bushey, Reach Free School in Watford, Parmiter’s School in Garston and Bushey Meads School will all see an increase in the number of pupils travelling from outside the county.

More than 10,000 children were allocated a place at their first choice school in Hertfordshire. Under ten per cent of the children were allocated a place at their second choice.

Five hundred and thirty two children will be going to their third choice school and 287 will be going to their last preference.

David Williams, Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Education and Skills, 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.”

School places must be accepted by Tuesday, March 15. 

What do you think about this? Has your son or daughter missed out on their first choice? Get in touch: michael.knowles@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 078245 30119