Flockton twins Ciera and Kayley Evans reunited in school after hearing

A MUM has won the right to send her twin daughters to the same school.

Officials had initially decided to separate Flockton four-year-olds Ciera and Kayley Evans.

But an appeal panel has now reversed the decision, meaning both girls can go to the same school.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said mum Carly Evans yesterday.

The family moved to Flockton from Golcar in April.

But when Miss Evans went to register at Flockton CE First School she was told there was only one place available.

There were two vacancies at Grange Moor Primary School, however bus timetables made the journey very difficult for Miss Evans, who doesn’t have a car.

She decided to send Ciera to Flockton CE First School while Kayley had to stay at home.

Miss Evans appealed to Kirklees Council to overturn the decision and allow both girls to go to Flockton CE First School.

A three-strong panel decided last Thursday to overturn the separation after a four-hour hearing at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Miss Evans said: “I told them that I couldn’t take Kayley up to Grange Moor because the road is unsafe and the bus service is unreliable.”

Miss Evans was helped at the hearing by her aunt Jeanette Atkins, of Flockton, and Clr Christine Smith.

Miss Evans said: “I would like to thank my auntie. I also had Christine Smith fighting my corner and she did a fabulous job. She really helped me.”

Clr Smith is happy with the decision of the appeal panel.

The Kirkburton Conservative said: “I’m absolutely delighted, it’s an excellent result.

“These appeal panels are quite rigid and it’s very hard to get them to change their minds.”

Clr Smith added that the girls had a strong case to be allowed to go to the same school.

“It’s not just that they’re siblings – they’re twins,” she said.

“The family lives exactly three minutes from the school so it was heartless and very unfair to separate the children.

“Splitting them up was inconsiderate and it wasn’t best for the children.”

Clr Smith agrees with Miss Evans that walking to Grange Moor wasn’t an option.

“She couldn’t even take the children walking from Flockton to Grange Moor because there’s no footpath,” she said.

Clr Smith called on Flockton CE First School to make more places available.

She said: “Flockton is a growing village with all these houses being built, and that means more young children.”