PARENTS are put under stress because of uncertainty and delays in in the schools admissions procedure, according to St Albans MP Kerry Pollard.

Mr Pollard raised his concerns with Hertfordshire County Council's director of children schools and families Mr Ray Shostak at a meeting of the education and skills select commitee recently.

He told Mr Shostak many of his constituents contact him when their children do not get in to a school of their choice.

Mr Shostak conceded that the admissions rounds are a very stressful time for parents, adding: "Many parents may not know until a couple of months before the youngsters are going to transfer and the uncertainty can be really quite severe."

However Mr Pollard also praised the county council for the diversity and standard of its schools.