RETURN OF EXAMS SEE CHILDLINE DELIVER MORE COUNSELLING SESSIONS ABOUT RESULT WORRIES

• The NSPCC-run service has seen a 30% increase in counselling about exam result concerns
• Children shared fears that the pandemic hugely impacted their learning and would be reflected in their results

New figures from Childline show rising anxiety levels about exam results amongst children and young people during the last year.

The pandemic meant that GCSE and A-Level exams were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 – which also kept students at home for months, before returning this year. This has meant Childline has seen an increase in counselling sessions about result worries.

In 2021/22 (April 21 – March 22) Childline counsellors delivered 781 counselling sessions to children and young people with concerns about exam result worries, a 30% rise on the previous year.   

In every month since January this year, counselling sessions about exam result worries were higher than the same period in 2020/21, when the country was in the midst of the pandemic. The most took place in June (106), tripling the same month in 2020.

June marks the month children and young people are either sitting or have sat their exams and have had time to contemplate their performance and upcoming results.

When talking to Childline counsellors about receiving their results this month, children shared fears that the impact of the pandemic on their learning, and the fact they were sitting exams for the first time hugely affected how they performed.

They talked to counsellors about disappointing parents and how their family will react when they find out their results. Many also shared worries about their future career and getting into their chosen University, as well as general worries about what their results might be, with some saying they are concerned they will ‘feel like a failure’. 

The loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, gradual reopening of schools, as well as young people spending more time physically with their peers than the first year of the pandemic, all contributed to the increase in counselling sessions about exam results during 2021/22. 

A 17-year-old girl told a Childline counsellor:

“I'm really anxious about getting my exam results. I don't think I will get the marks I need to get into my chosen university. I think I've done so badly. Before the exam I had a panic attack and had difficulties breathing. I'm so afraid of not getting the right grades. I'm terrified that I've messed it all up and I'll ruin my future. I don't know how to cope.”

In 2021/22 there was also a 20% increase in the number of young people aged 16 – 18 that got in touch about this issue, when compared to the year before. 

Shaun Friel, Childline Director said: 

“The Childline statistics we are releasing today show that during the last year we have seen a big increase in the number of counselling sessions we’ve delivered because of exam result worries.  

“Children have had to contend with a huge amount because of the pandemic, and it’s no surprise that with exams returning to normal for the first time this year, we’re seeing a rise in anxiety levels. 

“From worrying about how the impact of the pandemic will have affected their performance to having to sit an exam for the first time, there has been a lot for children to manage this year. 

“We hear from lots of children who are concerned about their results and its really important they know that there is someone they can talk to who will listen to their worries. This could be a teacher, careers advisor, parent, carer or Childline. 

“Our counsellors are always here to talk to young people and provide a non-judgemental listening ear, whether that be on the phone or online.”

Advice

For young people who may not achieved the results they wanted:

• Ask a teacher, careers advisor or any adult you trust what they think and discuss your options and how you are feeling.
• Remind yourself of what you did well in whether that be specific pieces of coursework, or other parts of your life.
• Don’t compare yourself to your friends.
• If you do not feel your grade reflects your ability speak to your school about making an appeal. This doesn’t always mean you’ll get a better grade but it can help if you think things would have been different had you sat the exam.
• Look at other courses or training programmes and apprenticeships that you can do.
• If you haven’t got a place at your chosen university, try not to worry as there is a chance you could get a place at another university through the clearing process.
• Take a gap year and do something different like volunteering.
• Look at different courses that you can do with the grades you have achieved. 

For parents and carers:

• Your child may find it hard to talk to you about their results so be patient and supportive until they feel ready to talk about how they feel.
• Encourage your child to take their time to think about what they want to do next. There’s no need to rush into a decision straightaway.
• Help them think about their choices by writing down a list of pros and cons for each of their options
• If they are finding it hard to talk to you, let them know they can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk

For further information, please contact the NSPCC Press Office on 0203 772 9722 or emailmedia@nspcc.org.uk.