Press release: new website launched for Hertfordshire parents

A free website shows Hertfordshire parents which schools they’ll get into – and interest is "phenomenal"

SchoolGuru.co.uk has been set up to help the 45,000 parents in the county who will be applying for state schools and nurseries this autumn. Parents just put in their details – and in seconds, find out whether they would have got a place in previous years, on allocation day. They can also see whether they are likely to get a place this year.

"People used to know where they stood when we had legally binding 'catchment areas'. But now the system is so complex that many parents haven't got a clue which schools they stand a chance of getting into", says SchoolGuru.co.uk's Catherine Bassindale.

Hertfordshire is home to some of the highest-performing schools in the country – but competition is fierce, and the most popular schools have six or seven applicants per place. Although many parents assume they’ll get into their local schools, thousands will end up disappointed with the school that they’re offered (and around 1,600 will go to appeal).

Mumtrepreneur Catherine Bassindale, 38, initially founded SchoolGuru.co.uk as a consultancy, before launching a free website in September 2008. The website uses up-to-the-minute official admission data, from Hertfordshire County Council and individual schools. Mum of two and former journalist Catherine says: “The system is simple to use, completely free, and parents now have fast access to the latest information that’s relevant for their circumstances. Our aim is to help parents find the most suitable school for their child, whatever their needs.”

SchoolGuru.co.uk plans to expand, covering other areas of the country soon. Says Catherine: “The feedback we’ve been getting from the Hertfordshire site has been phenomenal. Now we’re ready to take on the world!”

For interviews, quotes, photos or articles about schools in Hertfordshire, please contact Catherine Bassindale on 07957 464585 or email

Pictured left: SchoolGuru.co.uk's Catherine Bassindale with her two children Arthur, four, and Finlay, seven. This photo was taken on Arthur's first day of school (2 September 2008)