Twins at school...

[OhCrapOhDear]

I’m just musing this evening so forgive me if this sounds daft but...
If twins are at school within the same year (obviously), shouldn’t they be put into the same class together to lessen the risk of contagion? I’m talking primary age, not secondary. Surely if the family of twins were to test positive then both classes in that year would need to isolate rather than just the one if they were in the same class?

Heres how it works.

Ah, thanks both.
Bit risky though isn’t it?
I still think that common sense would dictate keeping siblings within the same group (where possible) would lessen the risk of exposure to others.
But I suppose it’s disruptive to the children as well..

I would think so too bit I guess up to the school.
Although I know some children playing together in different classes outside school or attending swimming lessons/sports clubs etc.
Fine balance between needing children to improve their mental health and then keeping infections low

It would never end - then they'd find that they had cousins in support bubbles, friends who share a childminder, kids at the same football training. Not to mention parents saying their kid has been treated differently due to being a sibling.

Schools can't run like that

The argument here is more about how many extra social contacts your family might be exposed to. If one twin can be moved into the others class, even with year bubbles it technically would reduce risk to your household because the number of direct contacts is likely to be much smaller. The downside to this is that one child loses contact with the friends in their class. It depends on your situation but if you or a close family member were at particularly high risk, it might be worthwhile doing.

From the opposite perspective a school might prefer to do this too if they have class rather than year bubbles - though they also have an obligation to decide whether this is in the best interests of both children too. They have to balance individual needs v risk of covid and might ultimately decide certain twins being in the same class poses more harm.

If you have year bubbles, its a pointless exercise from the schools point of view.

I’m in the Middle East and my twins are in the same bubble (but not the same class). Our bubbles go into school in different days though, so we aren’t back at school full time yet.

You’re right, it does make perfect sense. The U.K. is fucking this up quite spectacularly.

@RedToothBrush that’s a good point! Our family has had the risk of exposure doubled. I know that’s the case for a lot of families with siblings, but in this instance it could be avoided.

@feesh yep, the UK hasn’t handled it particularly well imo. What’s the situation in the Middle East?

There are twins in DDs year, and both in the other class. Last year it was one in each. They reshuffle the classes each year anyway. (There are two cousins in DDs class, not sure if that was deliberate).

I'm not sure on the logic of siblings of a closed bubble being in school. It increases infection risk, but limits disruption to education.