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Original poster

Twins got places in different secondary schools

64 replies

Jojokay · 04/03/2019 11:31

Hi, wonder if anyone has any advice/experience of this? We've been offered places at two different schools for our twins. One is a preferred school and the other one is our third choice. While both of the schools have a sibling admissions policy, they don't have a multiple births one. So they understand its easier if your kids go to the same secondary school, but only if they're not the same age?

Wondering if anyone had any experience of successfully appealing on these grounds? or would it be a case of hoping for the best with the waiting list?

Would be grateful for any advice!

OP posts:
Lougle · 04/03/2019 14:41

@AornisHades twins/multiples are only excepted pupils for the purposes of Infant Class Size regulations, so that classes can go over 30 without having to recruit another teacher, until the class naturally returns to normal size/year group returns to PAN. It doesn't apply to other Key Stages, so schools are free to include or exclude a multiple births clause.

AornisHades · 04/03/2019 14:31

Are twins not in the 'excepted children' category? At a primary I think twins are allowed to take a school one over PAN to avoid this.
Or do they not see it as important for KS3?

turboturtle · 04/03/2019 13:49

I know someone with twins who was in the same position a couple of years ago. One got in and the other got their 2nd or 3rd choice (can't remember which)
They contacted the school and explained the situation, and had an agreement in principle right there and then. They obviously needed to follow up with the LEA but it all worked out for them in the end.
With schools in the same LEA having different school holiday breaks, this would have been impossible for the the parents to facilitate.

O4FS · 04/03/2019 13:37

Let us know what the LEA say won’t you? I’m curious as to how this happened and why no provision is made for twins in the sibling policy.

Original poster
Jojokay · 04/03/2019 13:32

Thanks all, we'll definitely get the appeal in - fingers crossed. Will also see if Tamba have any more insights. Thanks for the suggestion.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 04/03/2019 13:18

Also Agee it must be that one twin got the last spot and second twin must be top of list. Please do appeal!!

O4FS · 04/03/2019 13:14

so Potentially you could be the last in on catchment and twin 2 first on the waiting list?

Because nothing else would make any sense in this situation.

Reaa · 04/03/2019 13:11

I would think that once twin 1 accepted place in preferred school, twin 2 would automatically get sibling priority on the waiting list.

Hamsternauts · 04/03/2019 12:53

Although obviously you'd have to hope no one moves closer and jumps ahead so may be worth appealing

Hamsternauts · 04/03/2019 12:53

Would the child who got into the preferred school have got in on distance? If so the other twin must be very next on the waiting list i should think.

prh47bridge · 04/03/2019 12:25

Definitely worth appealing. If the preferred school has distance as the tie breaker, the only way they wouldn't both have got places is if the one that got a place was the last child offered. There is a reasonable chance you will find that a mistake has been made.

myrtleWilson · 04/03/2019 12:21

what a nightmare OP - hopefully one of the admissions experts will be along shortly. Would TAMBA offer any suggestions?

Original poster
Jojokay · 04/03/2019 11:42

Me neither. Also the LEA asks you on all the forms to tick if they're multiple births, but having spoken to both schools this morning, they don't have a multiple birth policy and they've also not heard of this happening before. We can't be the only ones. They've both said we should appeal and go on waiting list.

Trying to get through to the LEA although not sure how helpful they'll be at this point.

OP posts:
O4FS · 04/03/2019 11:33

I don’t understand that at all! Why on Earth would the LEA do that?

Have you spoken to admissions? Could it be their mistake?