Parents and carers are being urged to apply for secondary school places to avoid disappointment for the next academic year.

The process to apply for secondary schools opened yesterday and Hertfordshire County Council recommends parents apply by Friday, October 22, so their applications can be checked and processed.

The final date applications will be accepted is October 31.

Parents can apply online or request a paper application form that must be returned directly to their local admissions and transport team.

Application forms can no longer be returned to a child’s primary school.

Councillor Richard Thake, the council’s executive member for education, said: "Starting school or moving on to secondary school are important steps for children.

"Parents and carers want to ensure their children gain a place at the school they most prefer.

"However, many schools receive more applications than they have places available and the admission rules are used to determine which children are offered places at which schools.

“Hertfordshire has a good track record and last year over 95 per cent of children were allocated one of their three ranked secondary schools and over 94 per cent one of their three ranked primary schools."

To apply online or for more information on school admissions, visit www.hertsdirect.org/apply2011