Teachers warn over pupil stress at school

PRESSURES at school are making pupils suicidal, teachers warn.

Almost half (49%) of education staff said some secondary school pupils have been suicidal because of stress they are under, according to a survey of the National Education Union (NEU), released at the ATL section annual conference.

Eighty-one per cent of those in secondary schools reported examples of pupils self-harming as a result of pressures they face.

The NEU surveyed 730 education staff working in early years, primary, secondary, sixth-form colleges and FE colleges, including 49 schools in Wales, and found, overall, that more than half (56%) of pupils’ mental health issues are leading to self-harm, 45% reported pupils having eating disorders, and 48% said pupils were having panic attacks.

Almost seven-in-ten (68%) respondents said they believe their school or college is having to deal with more pupil mental health issues than five years ago.

The results of the anonymous survey also show that schools and colleges are having to do more and more to support very vulnerable pupils, but are illequipped to do so.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of our pupils is paramount and central to our national mission for education – whether that’s working with the teaching profession in planning the new curriculum or ensuring that pupils are supported through their exams and the rest of their education.