How Yorkshire schools are supporting students during exam stress

BBC News

06-06-2025

Thousands of students across Yorkshire are in the middle of their exam periods, sitting their GSCEs and A Levels. The BBC spoke to teachers and pupils who share their tips for keeping a cool head during a challenging time.
"We are open and honest about how tough it will be, it's tough for the staff and it's tough for the students," said Liz Fairhurst, principal of Trinity Academy Grammar.The secondary school, in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, has more than 1,000 pupils and about 200 of them are taking exams at present."We want the very best for them, so we put everything we can in place to support them," Ms Fairhurst said."Primarily we support them not only with a positive outlook for their wellbeing and mental health but also in the academic side of the things."
Hafsa, a 15-year-old pupil at Trinity Academy, said there was a lot of support including counselling and one-to-one guidance."I think it's really good," she said.She said she had developed a routine to prepare for revision and tried to ensure she got a good night's sleep before an exam."First thing I do when I go home is make sure I am in a good mood, no stress, make sure I've eaten properly."She said she then watched a show or read a book and - once in a focused mood - began her revision.
Fellow pupil Daniel, 16, said he had been anxious ahead of his first exam."I was kind of stressed at first, but then after the first one I found it was a bit less."He said he had also found the preparation the school provided from Year 7 beneficial."We do period sixes, which is like revision sessions, exam workshops and then we get taught to do flashcards."From Year 7 to Year 9 we got taught to do flashcards and mind maps for homework."Jasmine, 15, said she revised most evenings but still made time for dancing to help "de-stress"."I have a timetable around dance and school has helped me fit around it."
Ms Fairhurst said building students' resilience ahead of the exam season began in Year 7 and continued through to their exams."How to cope with stress, what to do and what not to do during the exam period."Get enough sleep, eat well, drink a lot of water etc."She said the school also gave out goodie bags, through partnerships with local businesses, which include educational materials alongside snacks and treats.Ms Fairhurst said helping students navigate through exam season was a "huge responsibility"."We all absolutely buy into the fact that positive wellbeing, positive mental health means young people have more chance to thrive and flourish and achieve at school," she said.At Wales High School, at Kiveton near Rotherham, pupils do not take traditional study leave at home and remain in school during the exam period.Head of Year 11 Matthew Day said that keeping pupils in school gave them the "best possible chance to work with our specialist subject teachers"."Also where we've got students that need perhaps some emotional or mental health support, we've got counselling and other systems in place that they can access while they are in school."He said he was not convinced pupils would get the same level of support that could be offered in school if they were at home.
Mr Day said staff used mock exams to help identify students who might need additional support and they then put together a specific team support them.
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Nikki Bloomer, a pastoral support assistant for Year 11 pupils at Wales High School, said a lot of her work involved helping pupils relax."This is a time in your life that's really important but we are all here - mum, dad, carers, teachers - we want you to succeed as well. It's not just on you."She added that parents also needed to avoid putting too much pressure on their children."They might not need to revise at that moment, they might just need that bit of down time, it's not all about 'push, push, push'."It's important to have that off time, to go out and have some fresh air and feel relaxed, so they are prepared for that exam the next day."
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