Exam results prioritised over children's mental health
There are concerns Leeds children's mental health could be at risk - just so schools can get better exam results.
That's what a charity is warning - it's as one in four school kids have a diagnosed mental health problem.
Sarah Brennan is Chief Executive of YoungMinds.
“There is a mental health crisis in our classrooms. Children and young people today face a huge range of pressures, from exam stress to cyberbullying to finding a job when they finish education, and all the evidence suggests that the situation is getting worse.
“Schools are critical in helping prevent mental health problems escalating, in building wellbeing and resilience and helping young people learn the skills they need to cope in today’s world.
“Many schools are already doing excellent work, but too often they are hampered by competing pressures and a lack of resources. If the government is serious about tackling the crisis, it must rebalance the whole education system.”
More than 80% of teachers agree that exams are getting in the way of making sure kids are happy.
And, three quarters of parents would chose a school with poor exam results if their children were going to be happy.