A PREGNANT schoolgirl is being kept at home after her mother claimed teachers' attempts to protect her left her "feeling like a leper."

Sixteen-weeks pregnant Nina Dixon, 16, a final year pupil at Darwen Vale High School, has not set foot in class since the middle of October as a result of the row.

Her mother Caroline, 56, is refusing to send her back due to "over the top" rules and conditions which have been imposed since she revealed she was pregnant at the start of term.

The school insists the measures have been imposed on health and safety grounds after "risk assessments."

But a leading doctor has attacked them, stating that the conditions were possibly putting her unborn child at risk through the increased anxiety they were causing.

Nina said: "The rules make me feel like a freak and all I want is to continue my education and not treated like I am different."

Her mum said she initially agreed that her daughter would abide by the rules but then it became clear that that they were a "breach of her human rights."

She said the final straw was when her daughter was barred her from joining her friends for a five minute walk to get lunch at dinner time.

During her pregnancy, the school's rules state that Nina must: l Remain in the classroom while pupils change lessons and movement of pupils has minimised before going to her next lesson.

l Go to a named room at break time and lunchtime, remaining on school premises - avoiding congested areas.

l Be accompanied by a staff member when going to and from lessons and break/lunch times.

l Take care when walking around school to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls and when walking on any uneven surfaces, particularly when wet.

Caroline, of Duckworth Hall, Oswaldtwistle said: "The conditions are completely over the top. The school is so keen to wrap her up in cotton wool that my daughter feels like a leper, a second class citizen. I have even offered to sign something to say the school would not be blamed if anything happened to her.

"The worst is refusing to let her leave school at dinner time. She needs to mix with her friends instead of being kept in a room on her own. I cannot understand why she can't take a five minute walk out of school at dinner time, if I thought she was at risk I wouldn't let her.

"The way my daughter has been treated has reduced her to tears. She had a look round St Thomas', Blackburn (pupil referral unit) but did not like it.

"All she wants is to go to Darwen Vale, but I am no longer prepared to send her there as she doesn't feel comfortable due to the conditions they have imposed. They should be supporting her not making her feel ashamed and in isolation."

Caroline said her daughter was pregnant through a "long-term" relationship with a 17-year-old boyfriend.

Nina said: " I am not even showing yet. I don't see why I have to stay in a room at break and dinnertime away from my friends."

Headteacher Lynn Dunning said: "We don't comment on individual children but the safety and wellbeing of all pupils is our prime responsibility. Where necessary we carry out risk assessments using independent qualified staff."

Lancashire Telegraph health columnist Dr Tom Smith said he was appalled at the conditions.

He said: "I don't agree with any of this and there are no medical reasons why she should be treated like this, and I it seems the conditions are there so the school does not get blamed if she miscarries.

"At 16 weeks, a healthy woman, and aged 16 she would be covered by this, can do all the normal things and even run a marathon. There is no reason why should not be with her friends and do all normal things physically. To be subject to these rules, medically it's not sensible.

"In fact it could be doing more harm than good as if she is under increased anxiety, could lead to increased blood pressure and the rise in stress levels could harm her and her baby, and possibly a miscarriage."