Help with appeal for twins allocated different schools

[twinnymum1]

I have twin DSs. One DS (let’s call him twin 1) has been allocated first choice at a partially selective school on the basis of his admissions test result. The other DS (twin 2) didn’t score high enough to qualify and has been allocated his second choice school. My hope was that they would be going to the same school in September but it doesn’t seem likely now as twin 2 unlikely to get in through the waiting list.

The school does have a sibling policy and siblings have a high priority in the admissions criteria but since twin 1 is not technically at the school yet that criteria does not apply. I will be appealing and need some advice on how to approach it.

I’m wondering what grounds I can appeal. As mentioned I wanted DSs to go to the same school. One reason was for practicality because I was planning to drive them to and from school and it’s obviously easier to do this when there’s only one location involved. However, I’m not sure this will be considered a valid reason as the appeal panel are likely to think DSs can make their own way to school.

I can’t honestly think of any reasons why the 1st choice school is more suitable than the 2nd choice school – it’s just some intangible preference we have. So I don’t think I can argue that the 1st choice school meets twin 2’s needs any better than any other school.

I guess I have 2 reasons why I want twin 2 to go to the same school as twin 1. Firstly, I just think it’s unfair that there is a sibling policy but it doesn’t apply to twins at admission time. However, more importantly, twin 2 realises there is more prestige (for want of a better word) in attending the 1st choice school. If his brother goes there and he doesn’t then I know he is going to feel some level of inferiority. Twin 2 already has some issues with this as twin 1 is academically stronger and more able at sports and music. This is just something I realise as a parent and not something that I have a written report from a psychologist that can be presented at appeal.

There is one more reason which is also intangible. DSs have been at a small 1-form entry primary school and, although I want them to be in separate classes at secondary, it will be a really hard for them to have completely separate school lives. Perhaps that’s sounds overly sentimental but it’s perhaps something tht a non-twin would find difficult to relate to.

(As a compromise, I don’t even mind them both going to the 2nd choice school but even that’s difficult now as it’s automatically discarded as a choice now for twin 1).

I will be appealing in any case but I’m not sure I have any concrete grounds or any hope of winning. Has anyone got any advice as how to tackle the appeal?

If Twin 2 has some inferiority issues regarding his slightly more able brother, are you sure that separate schools might not actually be a blessing in disguise? DSis has twins with fairly different abilities (one academic and sporty, one less academic but very musical) and deliberately put them into different schools. It has really helped them flourish as individuals.

I know I'm not strictly answering your question, but something to think about?

The first thing to look at is whether or not there has been a mistake. Can you post the exact wording of the admission criteria concerning sibling priority. Even better, could you PM me the name and LA of the school concerned so that I can take a look. Depending on the wording it could be that DS2 should have been given priority.

I know a friend 2 years ago had this exact same issue. Twin boys allocated different schools. Twin 1 had gained a place in a 'banding' school and twin 2 didn't. Twin 2 was put on the waiting list as a sibling but didn't get a place. No appeal was won and they decided to move twin 1 to twin 2's school. I think this was easy enough even though it had been a lower preference school. You can join any school waiting list after allocation day anyway. I think as your twin 1 gained a place due to his exam mark and not purely in distance any appeal will be tricky. Good luck and perhaps different schools may suit them? I know of twins who actively chose to be in different schools. I have placed both my DS in different schools ( not twins) and it's the best decision we made.

Have you checked the notes attached to the admissions criteria to see if they mention multiple births?

My boys attend a partially selective school where some of the places are allocated by academic & music aptitude and the rest go to siblings and those living closest to the school. Part of me is wondering if the school you are talking about is the same one (or at least in the same consortium) as there aren't that many of them in the country.

The admissions arrangements at my sons' school state that if one twin/triplet gets in, they both/all do. The online application form from the county included a box to tick if the child is a twin. If one twin was allocated a place but not the other, this would count as a mistake having been made in applying the admissions criteria.

DC got to a school with an apptitude test for 10%. Siblings are the second criteria whatever the distance
For multiple births

If a twin etc is offered a place then the other twin etc will be offered places even if it takes them over PAN

Tricky. I'm sure the answer to you problems will be seen as twin1 going yo the non selective school tbh.

Ph47bridge will be really helpful when looking for issues with policy, which is probably the only realistic way you'll get no 2 into thr more prestigious school

Thanks everyone for your replies.

prh47bridge - I've sent you a pm.

CointreauVersial, pooziepuzzle, I still prefer them to go to the same school but in different forms. It might not end up that way though.

TheFirstOfHerName, this school isn't part of a consortium so I think we're talking about different schools. This school doesn't mention anything about multiple births.

bruffin, this school doesn't explicitly mention anything about multiple births only about siblings.

tiggytape, 1st preference doesn't have a multiple policy so was hoping to be covered by the sibling policy. 2nd choice school is also partially selective and both DSs scored high enough to qualify for a place. 2nd choice school has an explicit multiple birth policy so I would have put this as 1st choice if I'd known about this issue then.