Twins want to go to different secondary schools

Personally I wouldn't allow the dc to go to different schools unless there was an exceptional circumstance like one needing a specialist unit or something. 'Just' because of preference - no. As the adults, we decided which schools the dc went to.

It's about more than just the pure logistics of getting there and back. Double the dates for all school things. Two lots of collections and PTAs and parent evenings and all the rest. Different shops for uniform? Two sets of school rules and systems and all the rest. Not for me.

Assuming they don’t need you to drop off or pick up then I’d let them choose what they want

I would not only allow, but positively encourage them with their choices. They are individual people.
At secondary, they get themselves to and from school. It isn't like you are having to be in 2 places at one time.

I mean, for ALL secondary school preference forms I would ALWAYS encourage people to include one school they are almost certain to get into, but as long as you do that, I would put the schools they want in the order they want.

ps I’m basically going for the path of least resistance and letting my son choose his first choice (though I think it’s fine). That said many other parents I know are putting their proverbial feet down and making choices on the kids behalf - seems quite normal round here that parents know best.

As they both have clear ideas on where they'd like to go I'd suggest putting their choices in order for their own preference, so different for each twin. They might both end up at the same school due to school being oversubscibed and them just getting the nearest to them with space, but at least you will have tried to take their view into consideration which I think is important to foster their engagement in their own education.
I have boy/girl twins who have just started at different secondary schools. My situation was different because my daughter wanted to go to the local all-girls school that is our closest and where all her friends were going and big sister is, so she was guaranteed to get in. My son has SEN and only view on school was that he didn't want to go to a big one (we ended up with no option 🙁 ) I've been asked why I didn't apply for the same co-ed school for both twins, but I didn't feel it was fair to my daughter to select a school for her based on where her brother might get a place. For primary I was keen to have my children in the same school, but for secondary I think it's often good to listen to their views and try and support them where feasible. Good luck!

I’d rule out anywhere they would need lifts to get to for starters. If there is reliable transport to school b (and the cost is doable?) then I don’t think it’s unreasonable to put that first choice for the twin that wants to go there. Presumably the chances of getting into school b aren’t that high anyway?

if getting a place at school a i likely then I would explain to to the that wants to go to school b that you are putting school a as second choice. And then it won’t really matter what the further down preferences are.

a big factor in us choosing the local
school as first preference is that likelihood of friends etc being within walking distance. And not being reliant on an infrequent bus. Even if the twin going to school b can get there by bus have you thought about the practicalities of having friends and perhaps extra curricular stuff at or near school b? Is the bus regular or is it just a school bus going at school times only. Etc.

They can both get to A/B independently so I wouldn't have a problem with putting either of those as first/second choice. What about C and D, though?

Does DT1 want 1. A 2. B 3. C?
I would ageee to DT2 putting B first, but whether or not I agreed to them putting D as second choice would depend whether they could get there independently. If D was logistically difficult to get to I'd rule it out or say they could only put it as third choice (with A as second).

I would make sure the twin wanting the further away school understands they may get allocated the nearer school where ever it is listed on the form.

My kids (not twins but at secondary for a number of years at the same time) went to different schools. They have different interests and personalities. Worked out fine as both were walkable or easy to get to on public transport.

As long as the logistics will be OK: e.g. do the schools have holidays at the same time or are they staggered.

If they can get to the schools independently by walking or bus then I would let them put different schools. If they will need dropping off meaning two different school runs in the morning it’s reasonable to say they can’t choose different schools due to logistics.

I have 4 dds, including triplets, two went to the same school, the other two went to different schools, so three separate schools at the same time. However, we live in London and travel wasn’t a huge issue.

As long as A is somewhere on the form then I would let them choose because you don't want to end up being allocated a school that is impossible to get to.