Inverclyde Top for Twins at School in Scotland
Another 13 sets of twins will be starting primary school this week joining over 300 ‘similar siblings’ already studying in Inverclyde Council classrooms.
A total of 164 sets of brothers and sisters are to be taught in the new academic session in what is likely to be the top local authority area in Scotland for twins in education.
Provost Martin Brennan said: “Every year I am surprised at the significant number of twins we have leaving nursery and heading for primary school. It seems to always run into double-figures and this year is no exception.
“I am particularly pleased – as a former teacher – to be able to welcome them as they prepare to join their new classmates in their new schools and I am sure they will have a huge amount of fun over the coming years.
” We have some of the best teachers working in some of the best schools in the country and thanks to the support of parents and the wider school communities we maintain high standards of learning across the board.”
For the past 10 years there have been – on average – 775 registered births a year in Inverclyde. Over the same period there have been – on average – 14 sets of twins starting primary school each year.
Education Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “That gives a twinning rate of 18 per 1000 births which is well above the Scottish average of 15 per 1000 and I wouldn’t be surprised if we are among the highest in the country.
"We pride ourselves on our close-knit, family-friendly communities and make no secret of the fact Inverclyde is the perfect place to live, work and raise a family.
“The fact our schools are packed to the rafters with twins only reinforces that message reminding us on a daily basis how every child is part of a bigger family whose members have contributed to the cultural and social heritage of Inverclyde.”
The P1 twins gathered at the new £7 million St Patrick’s Primary –the latest new-build school in Inverclyde Council’s impressive £270 million investment in its School Estate Programme.