Almost 600 children without a school place of their choice

12.00.00am GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Figures out last week showed that 581 children in Hertfordshire were left without a primary school place of their choice for September 09. The majority of schools received more applications than there were spaces for their child to attend.

Children most affected live in the districts council areas of Dacorum, East Hertfordshire, Hertsmere, St Albans, Stevenage, Three Rivers, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield.

County Councillor Aislinn Lee, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson said: 'This is appalling - nearly 600 families wondering where their pre-school child is going to start their school life, often in a school they have not chosen that is too far from home. Starting school aged 4 is one of the most stressful experiences that parents face in raising children.

'The County Council is reviewing this currently, but this years figures show that this must be done urgently and in areas like St Albans and Watford new schools must be delivered.'

Of the 581 children that have not been offered a school of their choice 55 children have been offered school places that are more than 2 miles from their homes. This means they are entitled to free home school transport.