Parents and carers across Hitchin are being urged to start thinking about secondary school places for September 2027, with applications now officially open.

Hertfordshire County Council opened the application process for children transferring to secondary and upper schools on Tuesday, September 1.

Families can also use the process to apply for places at university technical colleges.

The deadline for secondary school applications is Saturday, October 31, 2026, with the council stressing the importance of submitting applications on time.

The authority says the easiest way to apply is online, with more than 99 per cent of parents choosing to submit their applications digitally last year.

Those applying online will also be able to access their school offer and accept their allocation before allocation letters arrive.

Last year, more than 94 per cent of Hertfordshire children were allocated a place at one of the four schools ranked on their application.

Cllr Mark Watkin, Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, said: "I want every child in the county to be able to achieve their full potential, and I am proud that Hertfordshire secondary schools provide an excellent education to thousands of pupils.

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"I understand that parents and carers will want to obtain a place at their preferred school for their children, and council staff work very hard with the admitting authorities of schools to satisfy parental preference wherever possible."

He encouraged families to attend open events at prospective schools and to make full use of the preferences available to them when submitting an application.

All secondary schools are expected to offer open events, either through school visits or virtual tours.

Information about the secondary transfer process will also be circulated to families through children's primary, junior or middle schools at the beginning of September.

Parents are advised to research schools and their admissions arrangements carefully before submitting their choices.

Applications and further information about the secondary transfer process are available through Hertfordshire County Council's school admissions service.

The deadline is October 31, 2026.