Source - news release from St Albans City & District Council
This summer, St Albans commemorates the 800th anniversary of its unique place in the history of the Magna Carta, the historic charter setting out fundamental human rights. The Magna Carta continues to underpin legal systems across the world.
To mark the occasion, a series of events is planned over the weekend of Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August as part of the St Albans Magna Carta Festival. The Festival is being launched today with the ceremonial opening of ‘Magna Carta 1213: the Journey Starts Here’, an exhibition at the Museum of St Albans.
The ‘Magna Carta 1213: the Journey Starts Here’ exhibition runs from Saturday 1 June to Saturday 15 September. St Albans was the location, in August 1213, of the first meeting to discuss severe grievances against King John. This historic meeting between the barons and the clergy, led ultimately to the articles that became Magna Carta, sealed at Runnymede two years later in 1215. The exhibition includes fascinating and thought provoking displays challenging injustices throughout history.
This summer, for the first time ever in St Albans, there will be a chance to see an original copy of the Magna Carta on display. The historic document will be on show in a special climate controlled environment at St Albans Cathedral from Saturday 3 to Thursday 29 August. Buy tickets online here.
Also at the Cathedral, from 7pm to 8pm on Friday 2 August, Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at Kings College, London, will present a keynote speech on The New British Constitution. This is followed at 7.30pm on Saturday 4 August by a concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and St Albans Chamber Choir. The special programme is inspired by the themes and spirit of the Magna Carta.
The Magna Carta Medieval Festival will be held in Verulamium Park on the weekend of 3 and 4 August. The festival features a historical encampment and reenactment of the conflict between the king, the barons and the church. There will be equestrian, combat and archery displays and exciting and fun activities for all the family. Also on display will be “the Manga Carta”, a unique artistic interpretation of the charter, inspired by Japanese Manga comic art.
The weekend commemorations will conclude with an Evensong Service in the Cathedral with the choir of St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rochester, New York at 6.30pm on Sunday evening. The sermon will be given by the Reverend Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, an authority on the medieval church.
The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor at St Albans Cathedral said: "St Albans Cathedral is delighted to be working with St Albans City and District Council to start the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. St Albans Abbey in 1213 was the place where the Magna Carta's journey began and it is fitting that we can play an important part in the national celebrations."
Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Commemorative Committee said: “The meeting between Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury and fellow clergy with the barons at St Albans in 1213 was critical in the development of the Magna Carta and so on the impact it has had to the history of the UK and indeed around the world.
“The Magna Carta 800th Committee is working closely with the Council and other stakeholders in putting together the exciting series of events planned in St Albans and drawing many tourists through the summer. There is a lot to look forward to and I know the people of St Albans are coming together to provide a fitting opening event in the run up to the 800th Anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta in 2015.
St Albans Magna Carta Festival – Full Details of Activities:
Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here Exhibition
An exhibition inspired by the values set out by churchmen and barons at the 1213 meeting in St Albans. These values are brought up to date through a series of thought provoking displays highlighting gestures which challenge injustices through time. Visitors will have the opportunity to share their views in the exhibition. Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, St Albans. AL1 3RR. 1st June to 15th September. Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Admission Free
The Magna Carta Lecture - The New British Constitution
A lecture by Professor Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government, Institute for Contemporary British History, King’s College, London. Magna Carta began as a baronial charter of privileges, but came to be transformed into a declaration of the rights of the citizen. It was the nearest we had to a written constitution. But the constitutional reforms since 1997, together with Britain’s membership of the European Union, have given us a new constitution. The main elements of this new constitution are the Human Rights Act and devolution. The essence of our new constitution is a limitation of the powers of Parliament. The Human Rights Act and the devolution legislation have something of the character of fundamental law. They in practice limit the rights of Westminster as a sovereign parliament. The central principle of the old constitution was the sovereignty of Parliament. The central principle of the new one is the separation of powers. Britain, in consequence, is less of an elective dictatorship than it was before 1997. But this new constitution has done little to secure more popular involvement in politics. That is why it has made so little impact on popular opinion. How can this deficiency be remedied? Friday 2nd August, 7 to 8pm. Tickets: £10 (includes a glass of wine and viewing of the 1215 Magna Carta on loan from Lincoln Cathedral)
The Magna Carta in St Albans
A rare opportunity to see an original 1215 Magna Carta, on loan from Lincoln Cathedral. Includes a special exhibition explaining the importance of St Albans Abbey in the Magna Carta story. St Albans Cathedral, AL1 1BY Saturday 3rd to 29th August. Opening Times: Viewing times vary from day to day. See website for advance ticket availability. Tickets: Advance Booking Adults £3.00; Concs £2.00; On the door: Adults £4.00; Concs £3.00; U16 free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets available online from www.allaboutstalbans.com. For more information telephone 01727 864511
Magna Carta Concert
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with St Albans Chamber Choir present a programme inspired by the themes and spirit of the Magna Carta to celebrate the 800th anniversary of St Albans’ link with one of the cornerstones of freedom and democracy. St Albans Cathedral, Saturday 3rd August, 7.30pm Tickets: £27.50 (U16 £10); £22.50 (U16 £7.50); £18 (U16 £5); £10 (U16 £2). Tickets available from the Alban Arena Box Office 01727 844488 or online www.alban-arena.co.uk (Subject to booking fee)
For the rest of the programme and more information telephone 01727 864511 or visit www.enjoystalbans.com
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Be inspired at Museum of St Albans art workshop
Source: News Release from St Albans Council
Create your own artwork using domestic objects as inspiration at an art workshop hosted by the Museum of St Albans on Saturday 11 May.
Domestic objects in the museum’s social history collection will be on display to help inspire you during the workshop which runs from 10:30am to 4pm. You will be able to select your own art medium and choose to work either individually or collectively as a group. Artworks created in the workshop will then go on display at the museum until the end of June.
The workshop is inspired by the ArtHouse exhibition that is on show in the UH Galleries at the Museum of St Albans from 3 May to 30 June 2013.
Artists often feature domestic objects in their art, including Tracey Emin and Yoko Ono who both have artworks in the exhibition. Other artists in the exhibition share a similar fascination in the use and manipulation of everyday motifs and domestic objects to create narratives or highlight issues.
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “This workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about how artists are inspired by everyday objects and to have a go at creating your own artwork. If you can’t make the workshop, come along to the ArtHouse exhibition where you will see Tracey Emin’s bed spreadsheet and Yoko Ono’s chess set painted white.”
Spaces on the workshop are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. The workshop is £15 for the whole day, and includes basic materials. Equipment will also be provided.
For further information and to book a place on the workshop, call 01727-819340. Information about ArtHouse is available at www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk.
Create your own artwork using domestic objects as inspiration at an art workshop hosted by the Museum of St Albans on Saturday 11 May.
Domestic objects in the museum’s social history collection will be on display to help inspire you during the workshop which runs from 10:30am to 4pm. You will be able to select your own art medium and choose to work either individually or collectively as a group. Artworks created in the workshop will then go on display at the museum until the end of June.
The workshop is inspired by the ArtHouse exhibition that is on show in the UH Galleries at the Museum of St Albans from 3 May to 30 June 2013.
Artists often feature domestic objects in their art, including Tracey Emin and Yoko Ono who both have artworks in the exhibition. Other artists in the exhibition share a similar fascination in the use and manipulation of everyday motifs and domestic objects to create narratives or highlight issues.
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “This workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about how artists are inspired by everyday objects and to have a go at creating your own artwork. If you can’t make the workshop, come along to the ArtHouse exhibition where you will see Tracey Emin’s bed spreadsheet and Yoko Ono’s chess set painted white.”
Spaces on the workshop are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. The workshop is £15 for the whole day, and includes basic materials. Equipment will also be provided.
For further information and to book a place on the workshop, call 01727-819340. Information about ArtHouse is available at www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Play, Pause, Rewind the music at the first exhibition of St Albans Museums Youth Forum
Source - news release from St Albans Council on 23 Apr 2013
Come to the launch of ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’, the first exhibition created by St Albans Museums Youth Forum, on Saturday 27 April at the Museum of St Albans.
The exhibition looks at whether the type of music you listen to affects the way you dress, think, or behave. The launch event runs from 12 noon to 3pm at the museum in Hatfield Road. There will be an opportunity to explore the exhibition, listen to or play some music.
The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to examine their own taste in music and what it does or doesn’t say about them. Visitors will also be able to contribute to, interact with and even change aspects of the exhibition.
In addition, ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’ will highlight the way people are buying and listening to music is changing and people who have influenced the development of music.
If you are unable to make the launch event, you can see the exhibition at a later date as it runs until Sunday 12 May.
Sam McKenzie, aged 15 years old and a member of the Youth Forum, said: "We have worked incredibly hard on this exhibition and a lot of time and effort has gone into it. We hope that visitors to the exhibition can get an idea of how varied the people of St Albans are in terms of their music tastes. We also hope that people will think about their own preferences and explore, through the exhibition, the music that other people like.”
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The St Albans Museums Youth Forum has done a brilliant job in producing this great exhibition. Come along to find out and enjoy the different kinds of music that people are listening to in the District.”
If you are aged 14-19 years old and are interested in becoming involved in the Youth Forum, then come along to one of the group’s monthly meetings. The next meeting will take place on Thursday May 2 at Verulamium Museum from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
For more information about the exhibition and joining St Albans Museums Youth Forum, please visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or phone 01727-819340.
Come to the launch of ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’, the first exhibition created by St Albans Museums Youth Forum, on Saturday 27 April at the Museum of St Albans.
The exhibition looks at whether the type of music you listen to affects the way you dress, think, or behave. The launch event runs from 12 noon to 3pm at the museum in Hatfield Road. There will be an opportunity to explore the exhibition, listen to or play some music.
The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to examine their own taste in music and what it does or doesn’t say about them. Visitors will also be able to contribute to, interact with and even change aspects of the exhibition.
In addition, ‘Play, Pause, Rewind’ will highlight the way people are buying and listening to music is changing and people who have influenced the development of music.
If you are unable to make the launch event, you can see the exhibition at a later date as it runs until Sunday 12 May.
Sam McKenzie, aged 15 years old and a member of the Youth Forum, said: "We have worked incredibly hard on this exhibition and a lot of time and effort has gone into it. We hope that visitors to the exhibition can get an idea of how varied the people of St Albans are in terms of their music tastes. We also hope that people will think about their own preferences and explore, through the exhibition, the music that other people like.”
Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The St Albans Museums Youth Forum has done a brilliant job in producing this great exhibition. Come along to find out and enjoy the different kinds of music that people are listening to in the District.”
If you are aged 14-19 years old and are interested in becoming involved in the Youth Forum, then come along to one of the group’s monthly meetings. The next meeting will take place on Thursday May 2 at Verulamium Museum from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
For more information about the exhibition and joining St Albans Museums Youth Forum, please visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or phone 01727-819340.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Under 11s school places for 2013
Source - news release from Herts County Council, 17 Apr 13
Hertfordshire County Council has today allocated more than 17,000 places at primary, junior and middle schools. More than 95 per cent of pupils have been allocated a place at one of their preferred schools – an increase of four per cent since last year.
Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their allocation information this evening (17 April). More than 98 per cent of parents applied online and allocation emails will be sent, after 6pm, to all parents who made an online application and confirmed their email address. The online allocation system will be available for other online applicants after all emails have been sent. Allocation letters will only be sent to parents who applied on paper or online applicants who did not confirm their email address.
The number of children applying for a place in a Hertfordshire reception class remains high with 14,859 applications received. Although the group is slightly smaller than last year (99 fewer applications), the number of children allocated a ranked school has increased significantly. 95.15 per cent of reception applicants were allocated a place at one of their four ranked schools and 82.75 per cent were allocated their first ranked school, compared to 91.81 per cent and 80.92 per cent in 2012
Over the last few years the number of applications for reception places has been steadily increasing and additional capacity has been created in schools in many towns across Hertfordshire, as published in the “Applying for a School Place” booklet. However, more places are needed to ensure that the supply of school places matches local demand as closely as possible. Some potential expansions were therefore identified but were not finalised until primary applications for 2013 had been received and analysed. On the basis of this work the following schools will also be admitting additional pupils in September 2013:
Cheshunt - Bonneygrove Primary
Harpenden - High Beeches Primary
Hemel Hempstead - Brockswood Primary, South Hill Primary
Hoddesdon - St Catherine’s CE (VC) Primary
Watford - Bournehall Primary, Nascot Wood Infants, St Catherine of Sienna RC Primary
Justin Donovan, Director of Education and Early Intervention, said: “We have been working closely with schools over the last three years to create additional reception places. Although across the county as a whole there are enough reception places for all children, in some areas demand has exceeded both pupil forecasts and the existing supply of school places. All children in Hertfordshire have been allocated a school place but additional capacity will be added in areas of peak demand and more places made available at the first run of continuing interest in the week commencing 13 May 2013.
“Additional places will be added at the continuing interest stage to ensure all families have equal access to them. I recognise that it is vitally important that all families are treated fairly within a clear and transparent process.”
All Hertfordshire applicants for reception places will be sent an email or letter on allocation day outlining the process for applying for the additional places available in the first continuing interest run. All applicants who have not been offered their first preference school will automatically be placed on the continuing interest list for any schools named higher on their application form than the school offered. Parents can also consider making a new application to any of the schools offering additional places. Full information on how to make a continuing interest application, and the timescales involved, is available at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions. This information is also included in the ‘Under 11s - What Can You Do Now?’ leaflet, provided to parents who applied on paper.
All parents and carers offered a school place must respond by 2 May 2013. Parents who applied online must also accept the school place offered online. Families are advised to visit the school they have been offered before deciding whether to accept or decline the place. If a response is not received the offered place may be withdrawn.
The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on 17 May 2013. All information concerning post allocation processes is available online at www.hertsdirect.org/primaryoptions or in the ‘What Can You Do Now?’ leaflet.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Celebrate Share-a-Story Month with St Albans’ museums
Source - news release from St Albans Council on 11 Apr 13
A series of magical storytelling sessions for all ages will be hosted by St Albans’ museums each Saturday during national Share-a-Story month in May. Make a date to come along to one of the following storytelling sessions at St Albans City and District Council’s museums:
Saturday 4 May at the Clock Tower, from 2pm to 3pm.
The series kicks off with a session by storyteller Olivia Armstrong who specialises in telling traditional folktales, wonder tales, legends and myths from around the world. Places are limited at this venue in the High Street, St Albans, so do arrive early to secure your place.
Saturday 11 May, Sopwell Nunnery, from 2pm to 3pm.
Olivia Armstrong will again relay wonderful tales at Sopwell Nunnery. You are invited to bring a picnic along to enjoy during or after the storytelling session. Sopwell Nunnery in Cottonmill Lane, St Albans is a scheduled monument and the ruins will provide an enchanting backdrop to the stories you will hear.
Saturday 18 May, Verulamium Museum, from 2pm to 3pm.
Storyteller Kathryn Holt will be delivering tales in Verulamium Museum’s activity room in St Michael’s Street, St Albans. Admission to the museum is not included in the £3 session price. However, you may wish to take this opportunity to explore the artefacts of St Albans’ Roman past.
Saturday 25 May, Museum of Albans, from 2pm to 4pm
The series will culminate with an event to mark the end of the museum’s Lion Under the Stairs Storytelling initiative. Budding storytellers have been attending a series of workshops designed to give them the skills to write and perform their own tales.
Tickets for the all storytelling sessions are £3 per person and are available on the day. For further information please visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or phone 01727-819340.
A series of magical storytelling sessions for all ages will be hosted by St Albans’ museums each Saturday during national Share-a-Story month in May. Make a date to come along to one of the following storytelling sessions at St Albans City and District Council’s museums:
Saturday 4 May at the Clock Tower, from 2pm to 3pm.
The series kicks off with a session by storyteller Olivia Armstrong who specialises in telling traditional folktales, wonder tales, legends and myths from around the world. Places are limited at this venue in the High Street, St Albans, so do arrive early to secure your place.
Saturday 11 May, Sopwell Nunnery, from 2pm to 3pm.
Olivia Armstrong will again relay wonderful tales at Sopwell Nunnery. You are invited to bring a picnic along to enjoy during or after the storytelling session. Sopwell Nunnery in Cottonmill Lane, St Albans is a scheduled monument and the ruins will provide an enchanting backdrop to the stories you will hear.
Saturday 18 May, Verulamium Museum, from 2pm to 3pm.
Storyteller Kathryn Holt will be delivering tales in Verulamium Museum’s activity room in St Michael’s Street, St Albans. Admission to the museum is not included in the £3 session price. However, you may wish to take this opportunity to explore the artefacts of St Albans’ Roman past.
Saturday 25 May, Museum of Albans, from 2pm to 4pm
The series will culminate with an event to mark the end of the museum’s Lion Under the Stairs Storytelling initiative. Budding storytellers have been attending a series of workshops designed to give them the skills to write and perform their own tales.
Tickets for the all storytelling sessions are £3 per person and are available on the day. For further information please visit www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk or phone 01727-819340.
Monday, 11 March 2013
St Albans Museum events – dates for your diary
Source - news release from St Albans City & District Council on 8 Mar 13
Make a date to explore St Albans’s museums at night or find out about the city’s role in developing the Magna Carta, the English charter of liberties.
These are just two of the events, activities and exhibitions being organised by St Albans City and District Council’s museums’ service for the coming year.
Highlights of the future programme include:
The Lion Under the Stairs Storytelling Competition. Everyone aged 8 years and over can submit a story about one of the objects in the Museum of St Albans or Verulamium Museum. The deadline for entries is Sunday 7 April. The winning entries will be performed live on Saturday 25 May at the Museum of St Albans.
Manga Carta Drawing Workshop. Join us to draw the story of the Magna Carta in the style of a Japanese Manga cartoon. The free workshop will take place on Saturday 30 March, from 11am to 1pm at the Central Library in The Maltings, St Albans.
Museums at Night. Explore St Albans Museums on Friday 17 May from 6pm to 11pm. You can join a torch-lit guided tour at the Museum of St Albans (£5) or attend a late night opening of the Clock Tower (£3). You can also experience Roman Night Life at Verulamium Museum with Roman theatre performances, board games and wine (£10). A £15 evening pass will give you access to all three events.
Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here. Find out how a meeting of barons and clergy in St Albans 800 years ago led to the signing of the Magna Carta, the English charter of liberties. The exhibition will run from Saturday 1 June to Sunday 15 September at the Museum of St Albans.
Pumpkin Carving at the Clock Tower. Come and join us to carve some spooky pumpkins. The best will go on display. The free event runs on Wednesday 30 October from 1pm to 5pm. If you want to take your pumpkin home, then a small of charge of £3 will be made.
Details of forthcoming events, activities and exhibitions are available at: http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Make a date to explore St Albans’s museums at night or find out about the city’s role in developing the Magna Carta, the English charter of liberties.
These are just two of the events, activities and exhibitions being organised by St Albans City and District Council’s museums’ service for the coming year.
Highlights of the future programme include:
The Lion Under the Stairs Storytelling Competition. Everyone aged 8 years and over can submit a story about one of the objects in the Museum of St Albans or Verulamium Museum. The deadline for entries is Sunday 7 April. The winning entries will be performed live on Saturday 25 May at the Museum of St Albans.
Manga Carta Drawing Workshop. Join us to draw the story of the Magna Carta in the style of a Japanese Manga cartoon. The free workshop will take place on Saturday 30 March, from 11am to 1pm at the Central Library in The Maltings, St Albans.
Museums at Night. Explore St Albans Museums on Friday 17 May from 6pm to 11pm. You can join a torch-lit guided tour at the Museum of St Albans (£5) or attend a late night opening of the Clock Tower (£3). You can also experience Roman Night Life at Verulamium Museum with Roman theatre performances, board games and wine (£10). A £15 evening pass will give you access to all three events.
Magna Carta 1213: The Journey Starts Here. Find out how a meeting of barons and clergy in St Albans 800 years ago led to the signing of the Magna Carta, the English charter of liberties. The exhibition will run from Saturday 1 June to Sunday 15 September at the Museum of St Albans.
Pumpkin Carving at the Clock Tower. Come and join us to carve some spooky pumpkins. The best will go on display. The free event runs on Wednesday 30 October from 1pm to 5pm. If you want to take your pumpkin home, then a small of charge of £3 will be made.
Details of forthcoming events, activities and exhibitions are available at: http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Friday, 1 March 2013
Secondary allocations announced for 2013
News release from Hertfordshire County Council - 1 March 2013
More than 95 per cent of Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools.
Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their secondary transfer allocation information this evening (Friday 1 March).
Allocation emails will be sent, after 6pm, to all parents who have confirmed their email address.
The online allocation system will be available for all online applicants after allocation emails have been despatched at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions. This year, 97 per cent of parents applied online.
The county council will only be sending allocation letters to parents and carers who applied on paper or those who applied online but did not confirm their email address. Parents and carers who applied online will be able to accept the school place offered online, as well as pursuing a continuing interest place and lodging an appeal. Detailed information about an individual child’s application will be available in the allocation email or letter.
This year 11,660 children in the county have been allocated one of their ranked schools, a success rate of nearly 96 per cent. Just over 80 per cent of children gained a place at their first ranked school, up from 79 per cent last year. This year for the first time parents were able to rank four schools rather than three and 225 children were allocated their fourth preference school.
Additionally this year, parents were able to apply for Year 10 places at the new studio school in Stevenage - the Da Vinci Studio School for Science and Engineering - as well as for places at the proposed University Technical College in Elstree, and the second studio school in Letchworth. 167 applications were received for these three schools.
Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, 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 ranked schools.
“We all want the best possible education for children in Hertfordshire and the county has excellent schools. I do appreciate that some parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, but would encourage them to visit the school and speak to the headteacher 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. However, as was the case last year, parents should note that all new applications for continuing interest must be made to their home local authority, i.e. to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in Hertfordshire.
Further detailed information about the post-allocation processes, including breakdowns by district of school allocation figures, can be found online from Friday 1 March at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions
The 'Secondary - What Can You Do Now?' leaflet is also available online and has been included with the allocation letters for children who did not apply online and have not been offered their first preference school. Parents can also access other useful information, such as school allocation summary reports, through the website.
School places must be accepted by March 15 2013. This is also the last date to 'opt out' of continuing interest for community and voluntary controlled schools. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on 28 March 2013.
More than 95 per cent of Hertfordshire children have been allocated a place at one of their preferred secondary or upper schools.
Most parents and carers in Hertfordshire will be able to access their secondary transfer allocation information this evening (Friday 1 March).
Allocation emails will be sent, after 6pm, to all parents who have confirmed their email address.
The online allocation system will be available for all online applicants after allocation emails have been despatched at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions. This year, 97 per cent of parents applied online.
The county council will only be sending allocation letters to parents and carers who applied on paper or those who applied online but did not confirm their email address. Parents and carers who applied online will be able to accept the school place offered online, as well as pursuing a continuing interest place and lodging an appeal. Detailed information about an individual child’s application will be available in the allocation email or letter.
This year 11,660 children in the county have been allocated one of their ranked schools, a success rate of nearly 96 per cent. Just over 80 per cent of children gained a place at their first ranked school, up from 79 per cent last year. This year for the first time parents were able to rank four schools rather than three and 225 children were allocated their fourth preference school.
Additionally this year, parents were able to apply for Year 10 places at the new studio school in Stevenage - the Da Vinci Studio School for Science and Engineering - as well as for places at the proposed University Technical College in Elstree, and the second studio school in Letchworth. 167 applications were received for these three schools.
Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, 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 ranked schools.
“We all want the best possible education for children in Hertfordshire and the county has excellent schools. I do appreciate that some parents may be disappointed with the school they have been allocated, but would encourage them to visit the school and speak to the headteacher 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. However, as was the case last year, parents should note that all new applications for continuing interest must be made to their home local authority, i.e. to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in Hertfordshire.
Further detailed information about the post-allocation processes, including breakdowns by district of school allocation figures, can be found online from Friday 1 March at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions
The 'Secondary - What Can You Do Now?' leaflet is also available online and has been included with the allocation letters for children who did not apply online and have not been offered their first preference school. Parents can also access other useful information, such as school allocation summary reports, through the website.
School places must be accepted by March 15 2013. This is also the last date to 'opt out' of continuing interest for community and voluntary controlled schools. The deadline to submit an appeal is 4pm on 28 March 2013.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)