Number of twins in Inverclyde schools hits 80

When the bell rings to begin the new term in Inverclyde on Wednesday, there will be more than 80 sets of twins in primary schools across the region.

Local education leaders have once again been left wondering if there is “something in the water” after a record 19 pairs enrolled in 2015.

New twins starting school in the area are traditionally brought together for a photograph ahead of the start of term and this year’s intake posed in their uniforms in Clyde Square, Greenock, as their proud parents looked on.

Terry Loughran, convener of education at Inverclyde Council, said: “We seem to have an ever-increasing number of twins starting school, although it has scaled back slightly this year.

“It’s a really exciting time for them, and for parents too, although it can occasionally provide a challenge for teachers identifying who’s who as traditionally we would have the twins in the same class.

“It’s a lot of fun. They are here to learn and we’re going to give them a great education.”

Sara Goyal, 38, is mother to Charlotte and Morgan, aged five, who will start at Inverkip Primary.

She said: “They are very excited - we’ve had a countdown on the fridge all summer and they’re really looking forward to it.

“They will be in the same class. They asked my opinion and although they get on very well they aren’t so close that I thought it would be a problem for them to be taught together.

“They’ve got enough change coming this week that it will be good for them to have some familiarity.

“It’s a big day for us on Wednesday and although it’s mixed emotions for me, they are more than ready for it.”

She added: “It’s so interesting to see all the different personalities here today.

“With my own twins, one is exuberant and one is quite quiet, and it seems to be the same with the others.”

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