Stalemate for twins who refuse to go to school (From Worcester News)

Stalemate for twins who refuse to go to school

8:26am Monday 15th October 2007 in News By Claire Fry, @clairefryWN #WENews

A HEADTEACHER has agreed to hold crisis talks this week with the parents of twin brothers who are refusing to attend school unless they are in the same tutor group.

Joe and Scott Draffan have not been to a single day of school this term, because Christopher Whitehead Language College will not allow them to be in the same tutor group.

Headteacher Neil Morris says the boys will only be separated for about 20 minutes a day and points out it is the school's policy to separate twins for tutorials.

But parents Fiona and Jon Draffan say the 11-year-old boys want to be together and have called on the school to compromise.

Mrs Draffan, of Drakes Avenue, Dines Green said at a meeting with children's services at Worcestershire County Council they had discussed two possible solutions - the twins remain in the same tutor group for the first year or they attend separate tutor groups for registration in the mornings and then be allowed to rejoin each other's company for reassurance.

"Mr Morris just isn't willing to compromise, we met with Chris Golbourn, who is the service development manager," she said.

"With him, we agreed with two compromises and we are willing to do these for the first academic year. But Mr Morris has said no to it."

But Mr Morris said neither alternative was suitable.

"We are trying to be reasonable and trying to reach a resolve," he said. "This is not a compromise. They will be together 19-20 hours a week. This was all in our policy. It was explained back in June at length.

"The two boys have not had any education The mum has the responsibility to have them back in school."

Dad Mr Draffan said the family was now looking at other schools in the county.

"There is no academic proof that twins work better apart," he said. "They work well together and always have been allowed to be together in the past.

"We know our children better than anyone else. Parental control is being taken away from us. But they just need to be at school."

Mr Morris said he would invite the family to the school for crisis talks this week.