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How School Assessments Contribute to Poor Mental Health

The impact school assessments and exams have on students’ happiness is something we’ve recognised for years. However, in the past, rather than accepting it was damaging our young people’s mental health, we acknowledged it only as a necessary evil to progress through life. Parents told children 'we had to do the same’, and that if they studied ‘there would be nothing to worry about’. Words like stress, anxiety and depression weren’t thrown about in the same conversation as GCSEs and school assessments. Students who struggled with their mental health often felt scared of admitting this as everyone else around them seemed to be putting up with the pressure well.As we move further along the 21st century and start to understand and accept mental health realities more, we cannot overlook how school assessments contribute to poor mental health. Here are some shocking statistics which demonstrate the effects of school assessments and exams on young people:

• 15% of GCSE students may fall into the category of being ‘highly test anxious’.
• 30% of children and young people talked to Childline about their mental or emotional health in 2018/19.
• 82% of teachers say tests and exams have the most significant impact on pupils’ mental health.

Please keep reading to learn more about student mental health concerning school assessment and exams and what you can do to support the young people in your life if you see them struggling.

The Impact of Assessments

While the Covid-19 pandemic, and its effects on school examinations, is recognised by parents, teachers and policy-makers alike, we can’t ignore the fact that young people’s mental health was suffering long before covid. Edge and YouGov's survey found that an overwhelming amount of teachers supported changes to the assessment system, primarily based on improving young peoples’ mental health. 77% of the 1000 teachers polled agreed that assessment solely through exams damages well-being, mental health and confidence. Most of the teachers recognised the need to start altering and adapting the assessment system now as we must protect children's mental health and well-being.If we look closer at school assessments, we can see they significantly focus on recall and dismiss important employability and life skills. Practical and applied learning are overlooked, and everyone recognised these issues - from parents to teachers and future employers. Many businesses already provide potential employees with their own evaluations and tests to determine if candidates have the necessary communication and team-building skills. With such a heavy focus on memorising facts and applying ‘required’ knowledge in exam answers, there’s no surprise we see such shocking figures around young student mental health. And with some parents, teachers and senior leadership teams at school placing pressure on students to achieve the best grades in their area (or the UK!), students feel an overwhelming need to excel.

Reduce the Pressure

What is essential for students to understand is that everybody’s best is different. Circumstances, natural skill, ability and background all play a part in a student’s capabilities across various subjects. One student may excel in art and music but not be as proficient in maths or English. Does this mean that they are not a good student? No! We have placed too much emphasis on achieving highly in core subjects (such as maths, English and science) as necessary for adult life when those who prefer the arts or show skills in other subjects should feel just as accomplished and prepared for the future.As a parent, reassure your children that they don't need to worry as long as they work hard to their best ability. Rather than pressuring them for 8s and 9s in their exams, tell them you are proud of them as long as they put the effort in. You want your child to be motivated to work hard but not overdo the revision so much that they burn out and damage their mental health.However, some students will find it hard to let go of the stress - and potential depression this brings - even with parental support. So what can be done in this situation?

Therapy for Depression and Stress

You’re not an expert in mental health, and you shouldn’t feel bad for not having the proper knowledge or experience to support your children solely through periods of mental health issues. Sometimes, expert advice and guidance are needed to ensure a child is on the right track to a better future. While we previously might not have associated therapy with children, we live in a more understanding world where children’s mental health is now acknowledged. Taking your child to therapy could be the step they need to talk to someone outside of their sphere about the stress and depression they are facing. Through this open and honest discussion comes an understanding of how to overcome their stress and accept themselves as they are.Please get in contact with me today if you want to learn more about how I support young people's mental health. I understand the extreme pressures young people can face and have experience working with them to overcome numerous mental health issues. By creating a safe environment, my young clients have the confidence and trust to share their inner thoughts and feelings to work in partnership with me to work towards a brighter future.The impact school assessments and exams have on students’ happiness is something we’ve recognised for years. However, in the past, rather than accepting it was damaging our young people’s mental health, we acknowledged it only as a necessary evil to progress through life. Parents told children 'we had to do the same’, and that if they studied ‘there would be nothing to worry about’. Words like stress, anxiety and depression weren’t thrown about in the same conversation as GCSEs and school assessments. Students who struggled with their mental health often felt scared of admitting this as everyone else around them seemed to be putting up with the pressure well.As we move further along the 21st century and start to understand and accept mental health realities more, we cannot overlook how school assessments contribute to poor mental health. Here are some shocking statistics which demonstrate the effects of school assessments and exams on young people:

• 15% of GCSE students may fall into the category of being ‘highly test anxious’.
• 30% of children and young people talked to Childline about their mental or emotional health in 2018/19.
• 82% of teachers say tests and exams have the most significant impact on pupils’ mental health.

Please keep reading to learn more about student mental health concerning school assessment and exams and what you can do to support the young people in your life if you see them struggling.

The Impact of Assessments

While the Covid-19 pandemic, and its effects on school examinations, is recognised by parents, teachers and policy-makers alike, we can’t ignore the fact that young people’s mental health was suffering long before covid. Edge and YouGov's survey found that an overwhelming amount of teachers supported changes to the assessment system, primarily based on improving young peoples’ mental health. 77% of the 1000 teachers polled agreed that assessment solely through exams damages well-being, mental health and confidence. Most of the teachers recognised the need to start altering and adapting the assessment system now as we must protect children's mental health and well-being.If we look closer at school assessments, we can see they significantly focus on recall and dismiss important employability and life skills. Practical and applied learning are overlooked, and everyone recognised these issues - from parents to teachers and future employers. Many businesses already provide potential employees with their own evaluations and tests to determine if candidates have the necessary communication and team-building skills. With such a heavy focus on memorising facts and applying ‘required’ knowledge in exam answers, there’s no surprise we see such shocking figures around young student mental health. And with some parents, teachers and senior leadership teams at school placing pressure on students to achieve the best grades in their area (or the UK!), students feel an overwhelming need to excel.

Reduce the Pressure

What is essential for students to understand is that everybody’s best is different. Circumstances, natural skill, ability and background all play a part in a student’s capabilities across various subjects. One student may excel in art and music but not be as proficient in maths or English. Does this mean that they are not a good student? No! We have placed too much emphasis on achieving highly in core subjects (such as maths, English and science) as necessary for adult life when those who prefer the arts or show skills in other subjects should feel just as accomplished and prepared for the future.As a parent, reassure your children that they don't need to worry as long as they work hard to their best ability. Rather than pressuring them for 8s and 9s in their exams, tell them you are proud of them as long as they put the effort in. You want your child to be motivated to work hard but not overdo the revision so much that they burn out and damage their mental health.However, some students will find it hard to let go of the stress - and potential depression this brings - even with parental support. So what can be done in this situation?

Therapy for Depression and Stress

You’re not an expert in mental health, and you shouldn’t feel bad for not having the proper knowledge or experience to support your children solely through periods of mental health issues. Sometimes, expert advice and guidance are needed to ensure a child is on the right track to a better future. While we previously might not have associated therapy with children, we live in a more understanding world where children’s mental health is now acknowledged. Taking your child to therapy could be the step they need to talk to someone outside of their sphere about the stress and depression they are facing. Through this open and honest discussion comes an understanding of how to overcome their stress and accept themselves as they are.Please get in contact with me today if you want to learn more about how I support young people's mental health. I understand the extreme pressures young people can face and have experience working with them to overcome numerous mental health issues. By creating a safe environment, my young clients have the confidence and trust to share their inner thoughts and feelings to work in partnership with me to work towards a brighter future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]