Should twins be separated at school?

Primary school places have just been announced so parents of twins/multiples might now face the dilemma of whether to keep them together in one class or separate them.

Schools may have a preferred policy, but it is ultimately the parents’ decision and you should be consulted. Twins Trust says: “Schools should not have a blanket policy recommending separation or keeping the children together in the same class.” However, it can be a grey area. If things don’t go your way you can appeal.

Separating twins: The pros

Gain more independence
Greater opportunity to develop individual friendship groups
Develops their individual personalities
Makes it more difficult to make comparisons
Can develop at their own pace
Less potential for rivalry

Separating twins: The cons

It might lead to distress and anxiety
Can be overwhelming
Less convenient (Different points of contact within school, activities on different days, multiple pick ups)

Together: The pros

Can be a readymade playmate
Provide each other with moral support
Can help with settling in
More convenient (one point of contact, activities on the same day, one pick up)

Together: The cons

Could be difficult to split them up later on
Lack of independence
Not as easy to form different friendship groups
Easier for comparisons to be made
Loss of identity – easier to be branded ‘the twins’ when in the same class (although this can and does still happen in separate classes)
One twin can become over reliant on the other/one twin can dominate
Can distract each other

Separated, but still get to have their school photo together!

Our experience of separating our non-ID twins

My husband and I discussed what we’d do before we applied for infant school. We quickly agreed we’d separate them. They differ a little academically and substantially in character. One tended to dominate a bit more at pre-school.

We wanted them to develop their individual personalities and their own friendship groups, and didn’t want direct comparisons (teachers wouldn’t do this deliberately, but I know how easily it happens). As Maria and Gabby were already familiar with the school because of their big sister, I felt it gave them the extra confidence to ‘go it alone.’

We were very lucky as the school approached me early on and asked what we wanted to do. They didn’t try to influence us at all, but I think were happy with our choice.

We talked to our twins beforehand to make sure they were happy to be separated. They were fine from the outset. There’re plenty of opportunities for them to interact at school and they soon realised this (they also do after school clubs together). Although they initially gravitated towards each other at play time, they quickly made their own friends. They’re now in year one and continue to love it.

They love telling me about their different days; there’s no jealousy because someone told me first. Also, they genuinely like to hear about the others’ experiences.

It’s challenging keeping on top of which class is doing what. There’s double the class bake sales, one needs to take something in one day, the other on a different day. Sometimes the same school trip is on different days. Also, class meetings happen simultaneously so I have to decide which one to go to (I alternate). I get confused about which friends are in which classes, especially when they mix up the classes each year.

Birthday parties

I think the biggest issue we encountered was the first time one got invited to a class party and the other didn’t. It was a steep learning curve. However, now they understand that they don’t always both get invited to the same party and it pretty much evens out in the end.

Parties are insane. We said they could have one all-class party. Obviously that’s two classes though so the potential for 60 kids. Thankfully it turned out to be a ‘modest’ 45!?! This year will be close friends!