Secondary schools in Herts

[Wheretobuyahouseinherts]

Asking on behalf of someone moving to the UK.
For family reasons would like to live in Herts. Children will be at top end of primary and they know that there won't be lots of choice with that so the main question is about secondary schools. They will move in time to apply within the normal timeframe (but only just so can't apply anywhere which needs a long period of time in a house. They would have evidence of church attendance if that is necessary but not Catholic or Anglican - as they have been abroad).
Their children are average/a bit above average ability - wouldn't be likely to get into selective school but would hold their own in any of the partially selective schools.
They can't afford St Albans or Harpenden but would generally prefer to be in the west of the county and more rural than a big town. So Stevenage is probably out but the outskirts of Watford might be ok.
I think they'd go as far east as WGC but probably not much further due to ease of accessing family.
I'm trying to help them narrow down areas within their budget where there are good (as in supportive and friendly with good results but not military style discipline to achieve that) secondary schools (preferably mixed).
I'd be really grateful for any insights.
Thank you.

For family reasons they would like to live in Herts.

This is similar to my question. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We will be moving to the UK later this year, with kids who will be in year 9, year 7 and year 4, arriving after the normal admission cycle and too late for the 11+ process. We would ideally like to live near Berkhamsted / Amersham / within an hour of West Herts/Bucks to be close to family, but will prioritize schooling and could settle elsewhere if the schooling options are better. Identifying areas with fantastic but over-subsubscribed schools (that we won't get into half way through year 9 and 7) won't help us. Does anyone have any advice on where might be a good place to settle, where the less popular state schools (that we might get into) are not too bad, or where there are realistic (i.e. not 100 kids competing for one or two 13+ places) late-admission options for selective or semi-selective schools?

OP the whole Welwyn area is nice as is Hertford. Some good state schools in Hatfield too. Herts is very good for schools so hopefully they will find lots of choice when they decide where to move to.

Berkhamstead and Amersham have a grammar school system and come under Bucks rather than Herts I believe.

Any of the schools that aren’t grammar might be easier to get into?

Berkhamsted is most definitely Hertfordshire and not Buckinghamshire, therefore no grammars and a full comprehensive area. However, given it’s proximity to the Bucks border, a decent number of children get out of area places at Chesham Grammar and Aylesbury High / Aylesbury Grammar each year. There’s no guarantees though.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think we'll have a closer look at Welwyn / Hertford as well. We would be happy with Ashlyns in Berkhamsted, or Tring School if we could get in, but I think they are both over-subsubscribed - I'm not sure if there is any turnover on waiting lists.

@BookwormButNoTime

Berkhamsted is most definitely Hertfordshire and not Buckinghamshire, therefore no grammars and a full comprehensive area. However, given it’s proximity to the Bucks border, a decent number of children get out of area places at Chesham Grammar and Aylesbury High / Aylesbury Grammar each year. There’s no guarantees though.

Ah apologies - I think it’s because I’d heard of people going to the grammars from there so blended it all