Quads go separate ways at school

Emily, Matthew, Alice and Luke Williams in their new school uniforms

A set of quads will be taught in separate classes for the first time after starting at secondary school.

Emily, Matthew, Alice and Luke Williams, from Cardiff, said they were both "nervous and excited" about joining Mary Immaculate High School.

The 11-year-olds had been taught in the same class in primary school but have now been put in different classes.

Their mother Cathy said it was not an intentional decision but the children seemed fine to be apart.

"They are all in different registration classes and will be taught separately," said Mrs Williams, 43, who is also a community officer at Mary Immaculate High, which is in the Caerau area of the city.

First day at school for quads

"But I do believe they may have certain subjects together. It wasn't a conscious move to put them apart but I'm happy with that.

"The four are individuals. They don't do everything together, they have their own friends and different personalities.

"Emily is the boss - she's the oldest and the mother hen. She's a tomboy and loves football. Matthew is loveable and is the joker, Alice is a girly girl, she loves pink and nail varnish and Luke is the quiet one."

Homework worries

The "much wanted" children were conceived by intrauterine insemination (IUI) - previously known as artificial insemination - and Mrs Williams said she "laughed" when she found out she was expecting quads.

Now, 11 years on she said she could not believe they were starting secondary school.

"I remember the first day they started primary school," she said.

"I don't know where the time has gone. The first 11 years have flown by. The school is fine with them and they have all their friends from St Francis Primary School here.

"At the moment, Luke wants to work with animals and become a vet, Emily wants to be a doctor, Alice wants to be a policewoman and Matthew's not sure yet."

As for the children themselves, they said they had been "nervous and excited" the night before their first day at the school.

And, like most other pupils, the thing they are worried about most is the prospect of "too much homework".