Secondary schools - oversubscribed?

[Bohbell]

We are planning on moving to St Albans next year and will need a secondary school place for my son and a sixth form place for my daughter.

There are obviously lots of excellent schools in the area. Are any of them really hard to get into? Obviously I would be attracted to the ones with 'outstanding' ofsted as it's an easy place to begin researching. Can anyone therefore tell me about admissions into Beaumont and Parmiter's? My son will need a year 8 space.

Also, I have a very lively dog that needs a lot of walking. Are there any areas that are nice to live, close to good schools and also have access to countryside? Thanks very much in advance for any insight you can give.