Parents and carers in Hertfordshire have been finding out which secondary school their children have been allocated to this afternoon, Tuesday.

Secondary and upper school places have been announced across the county for 2016, with 95 per cent of pupils being allocated to one of their preferred options.

Hertfordshire County Council has reported that of the 13,189 children who applied this year, 79 per cent gained a place at their first ranked school.

Councillor David Williams, responsible for education at County Hall, 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.”

Anyone who has not been offered their first choice school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any Hertfordshire schools named higher on the application form than the school offered.

All new applications for continuing interest must be made to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in Hertfordshire.

School places must be accepted by Tuesday March 15. 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 Friday, April 1.

For more information visit www.hertsdirect.org/admissions.