When a 15-year-old has a baby, it doesn’t have to mean the end of her education and her hopes of a career. Amelia Hill visits the school that treats motherhood as an opportunity.

By Amelia Hill

Pregnant at 15, Tanya didn’t think having a baby would ruin her life. But then, she didn’t think she had much of a life left to ruin. Rarely going to school, fighting with her mother, and depressed, Tanya had been devastated to discover that John, her boyfriend and the father of her child, was just 13 years old; throughout their 15-month relationship, he had pretended to be 17. The couple stayed together during the pregnancy, but five weeks after the birth of their daughter, Amy, John told Tanya he didn’t want anything to do with either of them. Yet today, Tanya is bubbling with love for her 10-month-old daughter, with shy pride in herself and hope for both their futures. In the past 14 months, she has gained five GCSEs and two level 1 qualifications. Next year, she will take two more GCSEs. If all goes to plan, she will then start a beauty therapy course at the local college.

Source: GUARDIAN