Staff see double as six sets of twins join Plymouth secondary school

Staff at a Plymouth secondary school will find themselves doing more than the odd double take this academic year after six sets of twins started in Year Seven.

The 11-year-olds joined Stoke Damerel Community College on Tuesday [3 September 2013] and their arrival has practically doubled the number of twins on the roll.

Staff are unable to recall any previous year group ever containing more than three sets of twins and, with this week’s influx, a total of 14 sets now attend the College.

“It really is extraordinary,” said college principal Carol Hannaford.

“It is definitely going to present some joy and some challenges – I sense some fun coming on.”

Cody and Ethan Evans, Charlotte and Chloe Zisimides, Charlie and Joseph Knight, Aimee and Chloe Bond, Abigail and Charlotte Milden and Andrew and Steven Turner are part of the College’s latest intake from 26 primary schools across the city.

Year 7 learning manager, Kay Lewis, said it was “wonderful” to meet all 240 of the new students on Tuesday.

“It is very unusual to have six sets of twins in one year group,“ said Miss Lewis.

“But I’m sure it won’t take me and the other teachers long to get to know the students, although it does make it a little more difficult if they are identical!“

Cody and Ethan said they were very surprised to find they weren’t the only twins in the Class of 2018.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out,” said Ethan.

“We were the only ones in our year at primary school, so it’s nice not to be the only twins here,” added Cody.

Gary Turner, father of Andrew and Steven, said he was “amazed” when he heard about all the other twins in his sons’ year.

“We did notice one other set of twins when we dropped our boys off for the first day but for there to be six sets, that’s really something.”

“We do pride ourselves on being a family school with many generations coming through our doors,” said Mrs Hannaford

“This just adds to the family atmosphere!”