Providing education for pupils who become pregnant and go on to
become school age parents
As a Local Authority, Suffolk County Council has a duty to provide
continuing education for all school age mothers.
Suffolk’s policy for school age mothers is set out in the policy
statement
Education other than at School (PDF, 2Mb). The aim
is to help school age mothers to continue to receive appropriate
education, including the opportunities to achieve recognised
accreditation and follow pathways into education after they finish
compulsory schooling.
To access this support a referral form, accompanied by a
Certification of Pregnancy, is made to the county council by the
school. This will lead to the availability of out of school
provision starting from 9 weeks before the baby’s birth and 9 weeks
afterwards. The pupil does not have to come out of school at
the 9-week point and can remain in school for as long as she feels
this is appropriate.
If at any stage of the pupil’s pregnancy a medical condition
develops which prevents school attendance, a referral form,
accompanied by a Doctor’s certification of the condition, can be
submitted to the county council for the provision of out of school
tuition due to an illness.
An appointed teacher will visit the pupil.
Education will then be provided in a variety of ways, depending on
the pupil’s needs and circumstances, including:
- attendance at a specialised unit, where available;
- dual registration at a pupil referral unit;
- out of school tuition; or
- other flexible packages which might include attendance at
college or time on work experience.
Pupils will also have access to the
Connexions Service for
advice concerning post 16 education and vocational training.
Related website:
A NHS site with all the info you need on sexual health, clinics,
STIs, contraception, emergency contraception, support
groups and services:
www.ypsh.net