Monday 30 May 2011

New school admissions code and twins

I was surprised to read in the Guardian that the draft, new school admissions code includes the guidance that:
"Schools must give priority to children whose parents are in the armed forces, as well as children in care, and ensure twins and triplets are in the same class."
Don't rely on school place lotteries, local authorities are told The Guardian, 27 May 2011
 I've always felt that twins do better if they are in different classes at school but I know that this can depend on twins individual needs. According to a  Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA) report 20% of multiple birth children starting school are allocated to classes (either together or apart) without any consultation with parents. Amazingly around 1% of multiple birth children starting school are offered places in different schools. This equates to almost 200 children per year (The Educational Needs and Experiences of Multiple Birth Children TAMBA 2009)

The new admissions code will allow twins and triplets to be admitted to an infant class
"even if it takes the class over the 30-child limit" DfE Press notice 27th May 2011
so there should be no reason for twins or triplets to be split between different schools. The chief executive of TAMBA,  Keith Reed, says
"We are delighted that the new Government has taken on board our suggestion to add twins and multiple-birth children to the list of infant class size exceptions." ,
Both of my sets of twins started primary school, and secondary school in different classes. Next year my sixteen year old twins are going one step further and have chosen to go to different sixth form colleges. The logistics of them travelling in different directions every day will be a challenge but they have each chosen the course and college that is best for them.

Sunday 29 May 2011

Goodbye Aga

Having named this blog 'Aga Kitchen Tales', previously posted a blog about my Aga and even registered my Aga on the 'This is my Aga' website, I'm now saying goodbye to the Aga. Like many others, I've decided I can't afford to keep my oil-guzzling Aga going. I could swap to an electric Aga but I've decided to go for an electric range with 5 hotplates, a grill and a warming plate.

Saying goodbye to an Aga is not something you can do instantly. I've switched it off this evening so we can remove the fitted worktops from around it tomorrow. On Tuesday the plumber is coming to disconnect the hot water supply and oil pipes, and then on Wednesday I've got two men coming from Avec Cookers to dismantle it and take all the pieces away. They will be able to use bits of my Aga as spares for their re-conditioned Agas.

I'm also going to have to rename this blog. I've been trying to think of a title all evening.