Multiple sets of twins in reception class

[Dixy30]

Hello
Bit of an odd one this.
My child's no1 school place choice for a class of 30 children will definitely include 4 sets of twins (all have older siblings at school) plus 2 other ages have applied!

It is a one form entry school so 30 places, with one teacher and one TA. Of the 8 guaranteed places, 6 are boys and all born may- August.

Any idea what the LA will do as surely will require additional support for these children as twins and boys esp are sometimes known to be a bit behind?

Such an unusual situation!

My daughter went to school with August born triplets, 2 boys and a girl. One girl and one boy were v bright and now at good unis and the other girl was average to slightly above average and didn't go onto uni, choosing a more vocational course. None of them needed any extra help.

OP doesn't need to worry. With all these twins she probably won't get a place anyway.

Would love to know how the Op came to this conclusion.

Any idea what the LA will do as surely will require additional support for these children as twins and boys esp are sometimes known to be a bit behind
really well that is the first I ever had, my boy twin was the class geek at that age.....
(been all downhill since mind)

*heard

Hang on a minute - if Dixy has heard, from sources she considers credible! that twins are often behind! and up to half the reception class could be twins, it is natural that she would worry.

Clearly whoever has told her this is completely wrong - but she has come here to ask for information, and perhaps it could be given to her without the necessity to flame her at the same time.

Just tell her the facts - tell her she's got no need to worry.

And wow - that is a lot of twins to have in one class!

Actually, I think there has been a general belief out there that twins lag behind in early childhood in terms of intellectual development. And some studies have suggested this is true* - but as the (very small) study I quoted in my earlier post, points out, these difference tend to equalise by early childhood (age 4/5). Also the association is with low birthweight/pre-term birth. And while not all twin births are early or dangerous, a higher proportion of them are (as I understand it).

*8. Twins are at greater risk for language delay.
?True
In a review of the research regarding the development of twins, Karen Thorpe summarized the following in her 2006 article:
Twins, particularly male twins, have higher risk of language delay.
Language delay is usually mild and it seems to reduce by middle childhood.
There is great variation in language scores among twins[18].
Therefore, while not all twins have language delays, they are at greater risk for language delay.

Dixy doesn't say that she's heard that twins are often behind, though - she.s only heard that they are "sometimes" "a bit" behind. And to go from there to deciding that these particular twins are not only going to definitely be behind, but so far behind that they will "surely" need additional support, is not particularly natural.

The LA will do absolutely nothing-nor should they. The class teacher/Head teacher will manage the class and decide if any additional support is required.
From the information from your OP there is no indication that this will be necessary, but, if it is, it is up to the school to decide-not the LA and certainly not other parents!

I never tend to treat 'studies' as gospel.

Language development will hinge on the use of language in the home and not a lot to do with sharing a womb so I personally would take such a study with a rather large pinch of salt.

Strange post :-/ I have summer born twins who are academically towards the top of the class. There's another set of twins in their class who are also doing well academically and I have many friends with twins - non of whom need any extra help at school. I wouldn't worry about the high number of twins to be honest. It's unlikely they will take more of the teachers time, just worry about your own child.

Thanks for your input didn't expect to get flamed!

Although I said I was slightly concerned about them being a bit behind. This is based on what someone who works at the school told me and the 4 other sets I know I friends/ family who required extra support at school.

I was mainly wondering of the social / behavioural associations of so many in this category - ie them bringing arguments from home to class, and half the class having a twin and half not!

And this doesn't appear an at all common situation as hardly anyone who has replied knows of a similar situation! I suppose the novelty interests me - and others who work at the school, who are already openly wondering about what it will be like !

All state schools have policies on inclusion, meaning that all children eligible for mainstream education are entitled to have their needs provided for in class. To be honest, twins might be the least of your worries, if your concern is that the teacher and TA might have their hands full. There could be all sorts of other needs that you might consider take their attention away from your child.
But that's the way of the world, and teachers are very skilled at managing it all.

"others who work at the school, who are already openly wondering about what it will be like!"
Seriously? then they need to be a little more professional then!
And why on earth "will it be like" anything different from normal?

For the record, one year we had 5 sets of twins in one year group (2 form entry though).

There are 2 other sets in my dts class (so 6 children). I'm not aware of any academic issues with any of the children (all summer born- 5 boys, 1 girl). I do think that there are extra things for the teacher to think about though. My 2 are fiercely competitive so that brings an extra dynamic- they are similar abilities but not sat on the same table etc. but certainly nothing that requires extra support. I think the OP was badly worded and hopefully not meant to be offensive

The school DS's (not twins!) go to has mixed year classes. They frequently have siblings in the same year group. This year there are 4 sets of siblings in DS1's class. I haven't found it has caused any problems or bringing arguments from home etc. I am certain the teacher's are very capable of handling any behaviour.

And please can I say once again can we stop having a pop boys.

*pop at boys, I mean.

Not uncommon in our school (15 children per year group) to have multiple twin sets per class. And, no, nothing 'special' done to compensate for them as isn't needed.

retropear: the point is not whether you take research as gospel, but that the idea that twins might lag behind, or have special needs, is not a crazy idea (even if it's an idea that is now considered 1) old fashioned, 2) outdated and 3) untrue).

What a ridiculous post.

Your OP is ignorant; whether that is deliberate or based on hearsay, I don't know. I find it hard to believe that school staff would share information or divulge that they have concerns; something like that could constitute professional misconduct.

DD's year group (PAN of 8, although they admitted 9 children) had two sets of twins, so nearly 50% of the cohort were twins. What of it?! I can honestly say it never bothered me in the slightest!

I do not believe that school staff have discussed the pending cohort with you. If you've discussed it with anyone it will be with mummy mates and I repeat - you all need to wind your necks in.

"Such an unusual situation"... No, rather an unusual question. The smartest kid in my son's primary school class was the youngest, born in August. Brilliant kid. Don't worry about the other kids. Worry about your own.