HYPE: Information for schools
Whole School Approach
The need for a Whole School Approach was identified as a concise, uncomplicated approach that could be utilised by all secondary schools within the state. This allows for a structured, best practice approach by employing policies and mechanisms that clearly set out codes of practice for the whole school community.
Description of process
The Whole School Approach was underpinned by research, particularly Boulden's work on supportive school communities and La Trobe University's research on Health Promoting Schools, which clearly stated the requirements of best practice.
The approach
There are five key elements to the Whole School Approach:
Element one: Development of a comprehensive school policy based on consultation that ensures the school is a safe and friendly environment for pregnant and parenting teenagers.
Element two: Development and implementation of a training program for teachers.
Element three: Development and implementation of a training program for students.
Element four: Development and adoption of a Model of Collaboration between community agencies and the school.
Element five: Evaluation of the Whole School Approach.
HYPE: Whole School Approach (pdf)
Model of Collaboration
A Model of Collaboration was developed to provide schools with a service-orientated template that could be adopted by schools to ensure that they are providing a safe and supportive school environment. This approach ensures that strong relationships are formed with relevant service providers in the area so that pregnant and parenting students (and their children) have their physical, emotional, and social health needs met.
The Model of Collaboration can be found in the Whole School Approach document.
Framework for developing a policy for the retention of pregnant and parenting students
Educational authorities, schools, community and students have a responsibility to create an environment which supports young women to complete a full 12 years of education. The South Australian Government released, in March 2004, a document outlining its strategic plan. This includes an emphasis on ensuring that young people would remain engaged in secondary education for a full 12 years. Currently South Australia has no single overarching policy which clearly addresses the needs of pregnant and parenting students. This framework gives guidelines for schools to form policy that supports pregnant and/or parenting students to remain engaged in learning.
HYPE: Framework for developing a policy for the retention of pregnant and parenting students (pdf)