Briefing 3: The Education of Pregnant Young Women and Young Mothers in England

Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Newcastle explored the educational experiences of compulsory school-age pregnant young women and the factors that determine success in continuing with education post 16.

93 young women from 10 local authorities were interviewed. The views of schools and related professional were surveyed by postal questionnaire. Important findings include:

•  Less than half of the young women said they were attending school regularly at the point of conception
  
  
• The majority reported improved attendance after their pregnancy was revealed and following the birth
  
  
• The value of specialists units for those who had been poor attendees or excluded prior to pregnancy
  
  
• The contribution made by reintegration officers to informing decisions and providing ongoing support to the young women

Click to download further briefings from the teenage pregnancy research programme.