The county council is at last admitting that it has a problem with secondary school places in the district of St Albans. Papers coming before county councillors today say:

‘A shortage of places is forecast from 2014-2015 [ie in four years’ time]. Together with demand in Harpenden…and allowing for some surplus capacity to meet parental preference an additional 14 forms of entry (420 places) will be required up to 2021.’

Action so far? Next to nothing. STAGS admission numbers will go up from 178 to 196 plus some expansion of Harpenden schools.

Oh: by the way, fourteen forms of entry equates to no less than two secondary schools!