Mum campaigns for change in schools admission process

Eleanor and Elizabeth Frith looking gorgeous in the same school uniform.

A mum of twins has called for a change in the admissions procedure to primary schools - after her girls were told to go to different schools.

When this happened, Joanne Frith didn't take it lying down.

Instead she campaigned, contacting the powers-that-be and national media.

She is calling for a simple change on a form filled out by parents to show children are from a multiple birth family.

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Joanne said: "We found out about the two separate schools on 2nd May 2006 and miraculously a place "appeared" at one of the schools by the end of June."

She contacted You've Got Your Hands Full after reading a previous article about twins being allocated different schools.

"I'm so glad you are highlighting the abysmal LEA computerised system that ends up allocating separate schools to multiple families as with ourselves," said Joanne, of Essex.

"We are so glad they are settled into school now and that their class teacher is extremely proactive in making sure they are treated as individuals and not "the twins" - definitely worth my fighting for them but then again how could I not?

"As I posted on your site - I really don't want to hear of anyone facing this situation again this year as it is extremely distressing and so pointless. Like I said, only needs a "tick" box on the application form and job done, like I also said this is too simple isn't it?"

Comments

[Ellee]

What was the justification for this? How ridiculous and I hope the mother is successful.

[Linda]

Hi Ellee,

Here's an extract from the previous story which I hope sheds some light - it's just a matter of a computer not recognising children are from the same family.

Tamba director, Helen Forbes explains: “It has come to our attention over the last couple of years that a growing number of families has been told their children will have to attend different schools.

“Because of the 30 children in a class rule, twins are being separated. No consideration of the fact that the children are from the same family was taken into account by the local authorities in question. These cases were eventually resolved on appeal but nevertheless meant months of anguish for a families faced with what would be an impossible situation.”

DfES School Admissions Officer Karen Lumley wrote to Tamba’s Honorary Consultant Pat Preedy: “There is no reason why admission authorities cannot ensure that multiple birth children are given priority in oversubscription criteria provided the arrangements are accurately described in order to allow parents to make a realistic assessment of their chances of securing multiple places.”

*****

I must say that this isn't a problem unique to twins, a mum at my daughters' junior school had to take her younger daughter to a different one as she couldn't get into the same one as her sister, despite protests - a logistical nightmare as you can imagine.