Students want more support for back-to-school anxiety

Few students feel comfortable speaking to a teacher, school counsellor or mental health professional about anxiety of returning to school, survey finds

18th August 2025, 12:01am

Cerys Turner

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More than a third of secondary students do not feel their school supports them in dealing with anxiety, a survey shows.

Some 38 per cent of 11- to 16-year-olds surveyed said they did not believe they got enough help from their school, according to a report from revision resource provider Save My Exams, shared exclusively with Tes.

Some 39 per cent cited academic pressure from exams, tests and schoolwork as their biggest trigger for back-to-school anxiety.

Fewer than one in 10 students thought they would feel comfortable talking to their teacher about back-to-school anxiety, while only 6 per cent said that they would feel comfortable speaking to a school counsellor or mental health professional.

Save My Exams and tutoring provider Tutorful surveyed 580 UK secondary school students about anxiety of returning to school.

Students seek ‘empathy’ over anxiety issues

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the union was concerned about the “increasing number of pupils suffering from anxiety”.

“This stems from several sources - including a high-stakes GCSE system, socioeconomic factors from beyond the school gates, and the stresses and strains of adolescence, which are frequently magnified and inflamed by the corrosive influence of social media,” he said.

“Schools are often left dealing with the fallout from issues that are not in their direct control. There needs to be not only greater investment in mental health support for young people but also action to deal with the root causes of poor mental health and wellbeing.”

Students also told the survey that they wanted more “understanding or empathy” from their teachers (26 per cent of respondents), as well as flexible deadlines and expectations (also 26 per cent). Some 24 per cent called for “clear communication about what to expect” from returning to school.

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.

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