From the age of around 13, children are expected to make massive decisions about their future.
What subjects will you study at GCSE? What subjects will you study for A Level? Will you even study A Levels? University? Job?
It’s all so overwhelming, especially for a child. None of these questions are simple either – they aren’t yes or no, black or white. Any decision made at this young age has a massive impact on our future and this comes with immense pressure.
The education system limits children to simply be numbers. Anything below grade 4 and you have failed. The higher up that scale, the more respect and admiration you deserve. I fell into this pressure trap as many students do.
Far too many children have a story like this. The education system is programming anxiety into children, pushing them to their very limits and eventually, they crumble.
According to Mind, 78% of young people have said that school has made their mental health worse. Some may believe this is simply “children don’t like school”, and perhaps for some children, this is the case. But would anyone enjoy school if it made you feel this way?
Mind have also found that 3 in 5 children have received no support from school for their mental health. The waiting lists are long and demand is high. Children are suffering. It is a catch 22, however something must be done so that students can complete their education, and maybe even enjoy it. Now there’s a thought!
Myself and students across the UK are now becoming more and more anxious at the changes the government is proposing to our education. Students will now be expected to remain in education and study both English and Maths until the age of 18. For many, this will only increase the anxiety that they already feel at school.
These changes are due to a comparison to other OECD countries (The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) who study an average of 7 subjects between the ages of 16 and 19.
Is this the most pressing issue? Keeping up with other big countries? Or should the law be refined to allow for a balance of studies and mental wellbeing?
Nah, of course the best thing to do in a mental health crisis is to pile on the pressure in an environment where children are meant to feel safe.
Has your mental health been affected by education? Are you concerned about the new Advanced British Standard? Drop your concerns in the comments below or head to our Instagram stories to take part in our poll.
Let’s hear how the students feel!
Yours sincerely,
Kayleigh
kmay.co.uk 
Leave a comment