NSPCC: Too many children struggle with exam stress in Jersey

Friday 12 May 2017

The Jersey branch of the NSPCC has spoken out about the growing numbers of children who are struggling to cope with the pressure of exams.

Nationally, the children's charity has revealed that it received more than 3,000 calls about exam stress in 2016, 11% more than in the previous two years. A fifth of those calls took place in May 2016, in the middle of exam season, with children saying they felt unprepared, and struggled with excessive workloads.

The national figures show that 12-15 year olds are the most likely to suffer exam stress. However, the number of 16-18 year olds calling Childline has seen the biggest increase over the last year, with 21% more calls. 

Julie Campbell, local campaign manager for the NSPCC, says those figures are not be taken lightly.

She told Express: "This is a problem that we see nationally as well as locally. Stress affects anyone regardless of where they live. This is a very real issue as some children feel so crippled by stress that they have suicidal thoughts as a result."

Karen Excel, team manager at Jersey's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, said: "Anxiety and low mood presentations are consistently the most common reasons for referral, which mirrors the national profile. There is an annual fluctuation in referral numbers that reflects the different demands of the academic year, but this has remained relatively constant in recent years. Mental Health, particularly in children, has had a higher profile over the last few years and the demand for services may be related to this. 

"On the other hand there is speculation that the wider access of technology and immediacy of information this brings may mean children and young people may not be developing the emotional literacy skills that are needed to manage some of the challenges life has to offer."

Whether the reason for the increasing numbers of calls to the Childline is a reflection of a better awareness of the resources available, or of a growing number of students affected, Julie Campbell thinks that the problem of "exam stress" needs to be addressed: "We want children to know that the Childline is there as a primary support to anyone. We are also asking parents and trusted adults to take the time to listen to individuals rather than dismiss their feelings. We advise teachers to promote discussions as exams approach, by getting students to talk about their feelings instead of talking about their revisions. We also ask them not to encourage children to revise all the time and to promote breaks."

For all our students who are taking their exams this term - good luck & don't forget to breathe! #wednesdaywisdom #goodluck https://t.co/qPOygVLVKD

— Highlands College (@Highlands_JSY) May 10, 2017

A spokesperson for Jersey's Education Department added: "We are extremely aware of the issues and the wellbeing of the students is very high on our agenda. Schools have been individually advising students during exam times and giving tips on how to cope. They know better what their students need as they talk to them on the daily basis and they offer support to whoever needs it."