This year could be the most stressful year for any collective group of year 11. Every year, Year 11 students are faced with high expectations, high pressures and high stakes, it is normal to feel stressed and burnt out for the duration of the year. This year, however, it is distinctly different – due to the pandemic there has been increased uncertainty surrounding the GCSE exams. The 2020 GCSEs were cancelled due to Covid and the national lockdown, students’ grades were then distributed through the use of teacher assessments and progress reports. However, so far, the current year 11 exams have not been cancelled, and the government has remained very quiet about exactly what might happen. Caused by the stress of the pandemic and the uncertainty of exams there has been a large affect on the mental health of students.
A survey from Young Minds conducted when students returned to school after lockdown found that, from students with a history of mental health problems, “69% of respondents described their mental health as poor now that they are back at school; this has risen from 58% who said their mental health as poor before returning to school.” This demonstrates the stress and anxiety that young people are feeling in regards to the current time, as there are multiple mocks and tests taking place as a safeguard in case GCSEs are scrapped, students are struggling with increased anxiety and stress due to fears over an uncertain future as well as extreme mounting pressure.
At present the mental health of students, particularly those taking crucial exams, that have been affected by the current health crisis, is in sharp decline and more action needs to be taken. A similar survey carried out in July by Young Minds found that “80%of respondents agreed that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health worse. This is a staggering statistic that further demonstrates some of the tragic consequences of this pandemic and the devastating effect that it has had on young people’s mental health.
