A Maldon secondary school is hoping to help reduce teenage pregnancies by once again giving pupils a taste of parenthood

Girls studying GCSE child development at the Plume School are to have the chance to experience the joys and woes of bringing up a child, by taking a "virtual baby" home for the weekend.

The virtual babies, otherwise known as Real Care Baby simulators, are programmed to cry and sleep as a normal baby would, and are being loaned to the school by Life Choice in Cheshire.

It is the third year the school has taken part in the programme.

Gill Leafe, who teaches GCSEs in child development and food technology, said: "It's like borrowing a baby for the weekend."

Published Friday, October 8, 2004

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