Medwaymessenger - Mum’s fight over twins' school dilemma

It's double trouble for the mother of twin boys who are due to start primary school.
When Samantha Terry filled out the school admissions form she listed Wainscott as her first choice and Hilltop as her second for sons Brad and Connor.
But Medway Council placed Brad at Hilltop and Connor at Wainscott. It means Brad will start school in September and Connor in January.
Samantha, a single, working mother from Cliffe Road, Strood, says the situation is causing her a headache.
As a result she is appealing for a place at Wainscott for Brad.
She said:“Both of them will start school at 8.50am.
"I can’t leave one four-year-old in the playground while I take the other to school or do the same thing when I pick them up.
“It means one is always going to be late starting school and being picked up.
“I was told by someone in Medway Council’s admissions team that it doesn’t state anywhere that twins have to go to the same school but, as I pointed out to them, neither does it say they might be split up.
“There is nowhere on the form to indicate your child is a twin.
“I’ve appealed for a place at Wainscott for Brad and it will go before a panel in June, but if Brad doesn’t get a place I may have no other choice but to leave Connor at Wainscott and teach Brad at home.”
Medway Council defends decision
“The 30 places at the parent’s first choice of school were filled in line with the published over-subscription criteria, which gives priority to those children with older siblings already at the school, and to those who live closest.
“Miss Terry’s children were 30th and 31st in this list. “Consequently one child was offered a place at her second choice school.
“To do otherwise would have denied another child with a right to a place at one of these schools.
“The circumstances are extremely rare, and changing the application form to indicate twins or multiple births would not have prevented the same outcome.
“Miss Terry is appealing for a second place at Wainscott and she could additionally appeal for a second place at Hilltop.
“A further alternative is that places for both boys could be offered at one of a number of schools in the area which have available spaces.”