Concerns about the secondary school transfer system in Three Rivers were taken to Westminster this week.

Councillor Chris Lloyd accompanied a group of parents to the Palace of Westminster, where they met with South West Hertfordshire MP David Gauke, Nick Gibb MP, shadow minister for Children, Schools and Families, and civil servants, on Monday.

This year, 202 pupils in Three Rivers and 193 in Watford were not allocated one of their three preferred choices, though this has now been reduced to 157 and 173 cases respectively through the appeal process.

At Westminster, parents told MPs they wanted more places at schools considered to provide “good quality education”, a “consistent” application process between Hertfordshire and neighbouring authorities, and asked the Government to help free up places in local schools by reducing the number of out-of-Hertfordshire applications.

Councillor Lloyd said: "I would like to thank David Gauke MP for arranging today's meeting. We want to work with Herts County Council, local councils, schools and central Government to find a lasting solution to the problem of secondary transfer in south west Herts."

Hertfordshire County Counci said they met with Rickmansworth School last month to discuss admitting an additional entry form in September.

But it was agreed that without additional resources, such as laboratories and ICT rooms, to tackle the existing deficiencies at the school, it would not be possible to accept a further 30 pupils for September.

A council representative said: “It is appreciated that some families whose children are transferring to secondary school this September will be disappointed with this news but the county council and school considers it important that the needs of existing pupils are also considered at this time."