Transformational support for young mums
03-FEB-10
Issued by: Nicola Sleightholme
A North Tyneside school that is dramatically improving the life chances of young mothers has been rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors for the second time in a row.
North Tyneside Council's Young Mothers' Unit, based in North Shields, is a specialist school for students who are pregnant or have young children.
And in their latest report, published this week, inspectors have confirmed that it continues to be a school where young mothers and their babies thrive, thanks to impressive teaching, ambitious expectations, and excellent pastoral care.
The report particularly praises the 'rapid and accelerating' success and achievements of the young mothers, many of whom attended school irregularly before becoming pregnant.
The supportive and positive ethos of the unit has transformed these young mums into achievers with real aspirations, who leave with the qualifications and skills to improve their own lives and the lives of their babies.
Located on the Tyne Metropolitan Sixth Form College site, North Tyneside's Young Mothers' Unit offers a vibrant and purposeful place of study for the young mothers, alongside on-site childcare, in a warm, friendly and supportive environment.
Its aim is to ensure students do well academically, while developing their personal and parenting skills, during pregnancy and early motherhood.
Pupils are supported to follow personalised individual work plans, while their babies are expertly cared-for close by. As a result, students demonstrate excellent concentration and application for long periods in the classroom, and as their confidence improves, so too does their attitude to study and determination to succeed.
Driving its success is a dedicated staff team, who reach out to the girls and their families and break down the potential barriers that having a baby in their teens could bring, by understanding their educational, emotional and welfare needs. The team has a caring, 'no-nonsense' approach, and the girls quickly learn that staff will do everything they can to support them in the most effective way, both in and out of the classroom.
The girls' parents are just as supportive of the unit, with one commenting to inspectors that, since joining the unit, 'my daughter's grades have improved beyond my wildest expectations' and another remarking that 'placement in the unit has transformed my daughter's life.'
Teacher in charge Margaret Lacey says: "We're thrilled to receive another 'outstanding' rating for the Young Mothers' Unit, which rightfully recognises the dedication and application of our students, often in the face of huge pressures, and the commitment of our small team of excellent staff.
"We're successfully creating a positive cycle of achievement for these girls by creating a nurturing and supportive environment for them and their babies, and supporting them as they grow in confidence.
"As we help them to develop their life-skills and self-esteem, their attitude to study and determination to succeed improves, and they learn that they can have a positive influence over their own lives."
Cllr George Westwater, Cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learning, added: "The Young Mothers' Unit is delivering exactly the right kind of care and support that these young girls need to flourish, and it's wonderful to see so many of them achieving so much, and exceeding their own expectations. "