In St Albans 95% of children got one of their top three choices for secondary school- it sounds good at first, but only 76% got their first choice.

In a press release issued by Herts County Councils on secondary school places, it was announced that 95.65% of children had been allocated one of their ranked schools – up 0.18 per cent from 2010.

In reality nearly 2270 children age 10 or 11 living in Hertfordshire did not get their first choice of school and approximately 500 of those did not get any school of their choice.

Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Mark Watkin said: ‘This feels like deja vu. The County Council needs to remember that this is about children, children that have been in their education system for the last 7 years. The county fails on this year after year.’

The comparison between the children who achieved their first ranked choice and lower is striking.  In Watford only 88% got one of their top three but only 62% got their first choice, compared to 68% last year.  In North Herts 42% of children in four parishes did not get their first choice.

Lib Dem Children, Schools and Families Spokesperson Ron Tindall said: ‘These figures clearly prove that there is the need for a new secondary school in the Watford and Three Rivers area. Sites have been identified but we need delivery sooner rather than later. The county council really must get its act together: it is quick to close schools, even in the face of dubious evidence. But when the figures show that a new school is needed, they dither and delay.’
He added: ‘The situation in St Albans – with one in four children is not getting their first choice – is nearly as bad. Yet again the county council is dragging its feet over the chronic.’