Today's the day when Hitchin parents find out which secondary school their child has been allocated.

Our town has three secondary schools, the Priory, Hitchin Boys' School and Hitchin Girls' School.

Of the 14,752 children who applied across the whole country this year, 78 per cent gained a place at their first choice school - with 95 per cent allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools by Hertfordshire County Council.

More than 99 per cent of parents and carers in Hertfordshire applied online and will be emailed the place their child has been allocated this afternoon (Monday, March 1).

Families who made a paper application will be sent a letter by first class post.

Terry Douris, Cabinet Member for Education, Libraries and Localism, 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 preferred schools.

"We all want the best possible education for our children 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 research the school and speak to the head teacher before dismissing the offered place. They may be pleasantly surprised by what they see."

All applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any Hertfordshire schools named higher on the application form than the school offered.

Parents and carers are advised to accept the school place offered. Accepting the place will not impact upon the appeals or continuing interest processes.

Parents and carers have until March 15 to accept their school place.

More information about the allocation process can be found online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions

Are you happy with the school place your child has been allocated? Contact Nub News if you would like to share your thoughts.