Time out and guidance tackle children’s stress as exams loom
HIGH school pupils are being taken out of lessons to help them cope with the stress of exams and schoolwork.
Around 80 pupils in three schools in Cardiff have taken part in the Bounce Back project run by Barnardo’s Cymru.
Sessions focus on practical issues like drawing up exam timetables and finding the best time of day to revise, as well as offering tips on breathing and mindfulness to curb tension.
Pupils are also urged to eat and drink properly – things that can be neglected in the build-up to exams, Barnardo’s said.
Most of the 14- to 16-year-olds taking part are at Fitzalan, Cathays and Willows high schools but some are teenagers who have stopped going to school altogether.
Help is provided on a one-to-one basis and an exam stress-buster group also runs at Fitzalan for Year 10, 11 and 12 pupils.
Intensive support is given to pupils for up to 12 weeks, while some youngsters just drop in for one session.
“Any child with any concerns can come to Bounce Back, even if it is just to draw up a revision timetable,” said Helen Barke, Barnardo’s Cymru project worker.
“Usually anxiety is impacting on their performance in school.
“Sometimes they don’t want to go to particular lessons because they find the subjects difficult.
“The danger is that without support they just stop going to school and end up not being in education, employment or training.
“Usually that’s not just down to exam stress, but generalised anxiety which could be caused by bullying or problems at home.”
Schools taking part in the project, funded by Families First, identify which pupils need help and the teenagers are then taken out of lessons once a week, normally for six to twelve weeks, to work on what’s making them anxious.
Eighty pupils have received support in the last year.
If they find a particular subject difficult they are advised to stay behind after lessons and ask for help.
Helen said: “We talk about making a ‘positive sandwich’ with the exams as the filling.
“We encourage them to put something positive immediately before and after the exams so they associate them with fun.
“We work on improving their resilience and coping skills and introduce ideas such as mindfulness and breathing techniques.
“I then signpost them to apps on their phone which they can use to practise techniques at home.
“A lot of young people report finding it very relaxing and it is useful for them to experience being in the present moment rather than worrying about exams coming up or ones they have already had.
“By helping them develop their problem-solving skills they will be better able to manage life’s challenges in the future and hopefully won’t need further support.”
She said parents can help by ensuring they don’t give mixed messages.
“Sometimes parents try to comfort a child by saying the exams don’t matter, but then talk about what they will be able to do if they pass them.
“It confuses children.
“It’s important too not to invalidate a child’s anxiety by telling them you can’t understand what they are so worried about. Better to listen to their concerns and try to come up with practical solutions to them.
“If you can’t find solutions then try to encourage them to react to them in a different, more positive way.”