The teenager gave birth in a medical room at the school

The baby was born in a medical room at St Joseph's Catholic College in Cunliffe Road on Friday, a school spokesman said.

An ambulance was called but the girl had given birth by the time it arrived. The Year 11 pupil is not thought to have known she was pregnant.

Spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Leeds, John Grady, said the girl and her baby were "fine".

"It is something that will be talked about for some time but we are just happy that the girl is OK, the baby is OK, and hopefully they will be home this weekend and spend Christmas at home," he said.

"It is not going to help to go moralising on the whole situation. That is not important, what is important is that the child and the baby are fine and everything is being done for them and their parents."

Mr Grady said the head teacher had met the girl's mother and preparations had been made for her to return to school and continue with her education.