THERE will be tears, tantrums and plenty of excitement... and that's just the parents.

Around 6000 families across the city today are marking the milestone of seeing children off for their first day at school.

One mum, Ingrid Mitchell, is waving off not one but two little ones as her five-year-old twins start at St Charles’ Primary School.

Senan and India Mitchell O'Sullivan will be one of two sets of twins starting at the Kelvinside Gardens primary, alongside Adam and Zuzanna Gora.

Ingrid said: "They seem to be fine about heading off to school.

"I'll be an emotional wreck, I will be blubbing at the school gates. But I have nieces and nephews who I've seen off to school as well so I'm well used to family tears, although this is the first time it's been my own children and that will be very different."

Senan and his sister both donned their uniforms for a practice run ahead of their big day.

Senen, from Maryhill Park, said he was excited about starting school and said: "My favourite bit is getting a place piece."

Ingrid added: "He's going to be disappointed when he finds out it will be an apple."

Their mum said the twins are both very different and, while it will help them to have a ready made buddy for starting school, they will be in different classes.

She said: "Ingrid is the dominant female and Senan is just a typical, normal boy.

"They are very different but very close. He relies on her a lot and will let her make the introductions will he hangs back. He tends to ride her coattails a little bit.

"The teachers say it's better for them to be in different classes and they will know three other children from nursery anyway."

Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills and Early Years, said: “It’s the first day of school for more than 6200 children across the city as they embark on the next stage of their education.

“It’s an exciting day and I know that our dedicated and committed school staff are ready to welcome the pupils into our schools.

“I know that Glasgow’s teachers will nurture and develop these young minds and do all that they can to help them achieve to the very best of their ability.”

As the new term begins, Glasgow schools will be looking to close the attainment gap as unique new service that aims to help improve the transition between nursery and school will be introduced in 28 primary schools.

The P1 Stay Play and Learn service run by Scotland’s specialist early years organisation, Early Years Scotland, will offer parents the opportunity to attend shared play and learning experiences to support their children before, when starting, and during Primary 1.

The service will be facilitated by fully qualified and experienced Early Years Practitioners, and will deliver informal, play based sessions in primary schools with parents who will be encouraged to participate fully in their children’s learning from the start of school!

Funding is provided through the new Pupil Equity Fund, a top-up on the Scottish Government’s Attainment Scotland Fund, and is allocated to schools to spend directly.

Early Years Scotland Chief Executive, Jean Carwood-Edwards, said: “We know that many of our youngest children can be significantly affected by the attainment gap by the time they start school, and that is why Early Years Scotland argues for even greater investment and resources for Early Learning and Childcare at the earliest possible time in children’s lives.

“The transition to formal schooling is an important time for children, and indeed parents.

"We believe that by expanding our successful Stay Play and Learn model into primary schools, we can help to make the transition a very enjoyable, positive and progressive experience for all."

Meanwhile, Inverclyde Council has once again become one of the areas with the most twins starting primary school after 13 sets enrolled this year.

The children will join 151 sets of twins who attend primary schools across Inverclyde.

It is thought to be the council area with the highest number of twins in the classroom.

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.

Inverclyde 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."

Provost for the region Martin Brennan said he is always surprised by the number of twins starting primary school in Inverclyde.

He 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."

Another 12 sets of twins are set to start at West Dunbartonshire schools.