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Stress advice for East Lancashire pupils
4:44pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
By Deborah Lewis »
SCHOOLS across East Lancashire are giving pupils tips on how to avoid stress during one of the most pressurised times of their life yet.
During revision and exams, be they GCSEs, A levels or SATS, stress and anxiety are very common problems for most students.
And the key messages in schools across East Lancashire are to not panic, and stay healthy.
Some schools, such as Hameldon Community College in Burnley, distribute information booklets for students about how to minimise stress and stay focused during the exam season, which ahs just begun.
In others, staff advise students verbally, or it is covered in the curriculum.
Lynda Taylor, deputy head at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School in Waterfoot, said: "We provide booklets for our younger pupils about dealing with exams, and for yeras 10 and 11 exam stress is covered in citizenship lessons.
"The main things to remember is sleeping and eating properly, as well as reminding them that exams are not the end of the world."
Simon Corns, headmaster at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Blackburn, said: "We cover examination stress as part of our complementary studies programme.
"Our focus is very much on all-round involvement in school life and we believe our extra-curricular programme, which includes plenty of exercise and fresh air, is the best way to keep examinations in context so that pupils, by and large, do not become stressed and can take them in their stride.
"They know they must strive for the highest standards, but we are not an academic hothouse and we make sure we keep things in proportion."
Young people who feel things are getting on top of them are urged to talk to somebody they trust about their worries, be it a teacher, relative or friend.
The Samaritans are also on hand for those who feel they have no-one else to talk to.
The charity, which has branches in New Park Street, Blackburn, and Market Square, Nelson, provides confidential emotional support for young people, and advice on how to remain physically well.
Contact the Samaritans on 01254 662424 or 01282 694929, or the general number 08457 909090.
Your Say YourTelegraph
Hellboy, Stressed Hell says...
10:12am Fri 16 May 08
Kevin, Colne says...
7:49pm Thu 15 May 08
My children have just completed their formal state education, although in future the state wishes to deprive children of their liberty and incarcerate them in formal education until the age of 18.
They were told constantly by all and sundry that the tests were of vital importance.
As a caring parent I considered it my duty to put protect them. I told my children to ignore what the Head Teacher and teachers said. The tests are important for the schools, the LEA and the politicians but of little real consequnce to you as an individual.
In any case I said, you were born out of love and not placed on this earth to meet arbitary targets set by dozey politicians (of which there is no shortage).
I did, however, give them a target. It is one that all children can achieve. It does not induce the sort of stress engendered by the state testing system, there is no need to calculate 'value added' nor is there any need for league tables. It is one where every child regardless of age, sex, creed or colour can achieve. It is one where everyone can walk tall. It is one that appeals to the heart and ignores the cold, calculating, mechanical, uncaring world of adminsitration.
It was the target that I was given at school by teachers who having been left to their own devices knew what-was-what.
It's some of the best advice any child can have.
That target was: try your very best , and whatever the result you achieve we shall all be content and happy.
Sadly we live in a world where politicians wish not to represent us but to manage us. They have set out to micro-manage every aspect of life and in doing so have turned living into an intolerable experience.
To do this to our children is unforgivable.
But here's the truth: the politicians can't win. The more they seek to control the more citizens will hanker for liberty.
A good place to start is with out children by freeing them from the tyranny of excessive testing.
GET RID, Nelson says...
7:04pm Thu 15 May 08
school inspector, home says...
7:03pm Thu 15 May 08
K wrote:How the hell did we manage to get through school without counselling.
Aaah the BRGS booklets on breathing exercises and time management... memories. 'School inspector', school is a stressful time you do SATs, CATs and GCSE's followed by A-levels (with internal end of year exams). You're told by society that failure in these exams means you'll end up unemployed and in a council flat, which is not true. On top of this you're a teenager struggling with the normal adolescence issues. "They have a lot to learn about life" yes, they are at school, that's kind of the point.
K, Rossendale says...
5:09pm Thu 15 May 08
school inspector, home says...
7:02pm Wed 14 May 08
They have a lot to learn about life.
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K, Rossendale says...
11:12am Fri 16 May 08
A lot of people these days don't. There has been an increase in the number of young people suffering from depression and anxiety.
I agree that the number of tests should be reduced, as someone said to me recently 'I would have loved a good education but I was too busy passing exams'.