Twins facing separation at school

Thomas and Isobel were offered a place at a school not on their list

Two families each with four-year-old twins due to start primary school this year face having to send their siblings to separate schools from September.

Guy Mawhinney, of Flimwell, in East Sussex, said his children Isobel and Thomas needed to be at the same school because his daughter had special needs.

Jayne Gleed, of Cliffe, in Kent, faces a 10-mile-round trip if sons Billy and Johnny are to go to the same school.

Both families are awaiting the outcome of appeals to their local councils.

Ms Gleed said she had turned down the only option to school her sons together because her job made it impossible for her to get them there on time.

'Learning development'

"Basically, it's up to other people where your children go. Their lives have been taken out of your hands," she said.

Mr Mawhinney, who has also been offered an option to send his children to the same school, said it was impossible to separate his twins.

Only Isobel has a place at their second choice, in Etchingham, although both children were offered a place at Ticehurst, which was not on their list.

Their parents said they were reluctant to give up Isobel's place because she has special needs and the school has smaller classroom sizes.

"It's their wellbeing, it's their learning development, and logistically for a family we can't be at 8.30am in two different locations five miles apart," Mr Mawhinney said.

Both Medway Council and East Sussex County Council said they had offered the families places at the same school and were working to help them resolve their issues.