Mother who left school after getting pregnant at 14 graduates from university with daughter by her side

'When I found out I was pregnant it kind of saved me,' says mother-of-one

Policymakers have repeatedly called for action to curb the trend (Getty/iStock)

A woman who left school aged 14 after getting pregnant has just graduated seven years later with her daughter by her side.

Rachael Campey gave birth to Lily-Rose when she was 15 years old, explaining that she struggled to get back into school because the education system “gave up” on her after she became pregnant.

Speaking to the BBC, Campey says she had to leave school due to a lack of support.

Prior to that, she was “bounced around the education system” and even kicked out of one school. Campey said she struggled from mental health problems as a student and was targeted by bullies.

“When I found out I was pregnant it kind of saved me,” the now-21-year-old said. “It gave me a new lease of life.

“I wanted to continue in education but they didn’t take me seriously and there just wasn’t the right support.”

Eventually, Campey was able to continue her studies at York College and on Wednesday, she graduated with a degree from Leeds Trinity University. The mother-of-one described the ceremony as “really emotional”

Campey tweeted about her graduation on Wednesday, dedicating the message to her daughter.

“When I found out I was pregnant with you at 14, I promised I would work non stop to give you the best childhood I could,” she wrote alongside a photograph from when Lily-Rose was born and another of the now-six-year-old holding Campey’s hand at her graduation.

The tweet continued: “7/8 education systems later, countless jobs and everything life could possibly throw at us. Today I graduated at 21 with my six-year-old by my side.”

Campey’s tweet has since gone viral, garnering more than 104,000 likes and 5,700 retweets in addition to hundreds of supportive and congratulatory comments.

“What a mum, role model and a leader,” wrote one person. “You achieved not of because of the system but in spite of it. Best of luck on the next stage of your journey. You are a trailblazer and a warrior.”

Another added: “Your daughter will remember the amazing life you gave her! My mom had me at 14 too! Now we’re 30 and 44 and I’m getting ready to start my masters degree in a few weeks.”