Schoolchildren living in Watford continue to be least likely to receive a place at their preferred secondary school, latest figures show.

For at least the sixth year in a row, the proportion of students in Watford who were given a place at any of their chosen schools was the lowest in Hertfordshire.

The 2022/2023 school allocation statistics released by Hertfordshire County Council on March 1 show 87.53 per cent of pupils who live in the town received a preferred place, which is down from 88.23 per cent last year.

In Watford, 794 students received their first choice with 191 getting their second choice.

There was a variation in the proportion of primary school pupils in Watford who received a preferred school place, with 100 per cent of pupils at Coates Way JMI in Garston receiving a ranked allocation compared to just under 72 per cent at Bromet Primary School in Oxhey.

In Hertfordshire's other nine districts and boroughs, at least 92 per cent of applicants were given a preferred school allocation, including 92 per cent in Hertsmere and 93.7 per cent in Three Rivers.

The best performing figures were in North Hertfordshire with 99 per cent of students getting a preferred school place followed by 97 per cent in St Albans district.

Overall, 95 per cent of children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools by Hertfordshire County Council, and of the 14,997 Hertfordshire children who applied this year, 79 per cent gained a place at their first preference school.

Terry Douris, who is cabinet member for education, libraries and lifelong learning, 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 preferred schools.

"We want every child in Hertfordshire to be able to achieve their full potential, 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 research the school and speak to the head teacher before dismissing the offered place. They may be pleasantly surprised by what they see."

Parents and carers have until March 15 to accept a school place. More information about the allocation process can be found at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions