Students aged 8 stressed by pressure: survey

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BLACKPOOL: Half of eight to 17-year-olds are stressed and anxious about their academic performances, according to the Children's Commissioner.

The youngsters cite ambitious parents as well as schools, as the source of the overwhelming pressure to achieve good marks and exam grades, said Dr Maggie Atkinson.

The troubling figures emerged from research she commissioned about the impact of education on pupils.

Dr Atkinson suggested that parents, aware of the constant call for improved education standards, pass on the pressure to their children by setting unachievable targets.

And when questioned about the root of the problem, she pointed towards the culture of "over-examination".

Speaking at the North of England Education Conference in Blackpool, Dr Atkinson said: "At least half of them (pupils) worry about school work and the pressure of exams".

"And they outline pressure from home as well school as part of that worry," she said.

Children in England face tough exams at the ages of nine, 11, 14, 16 and 18.

Brian Lightman, of the Association of School and College Leaders, blamed the stress of these exams.

"From the point of view of children's health, we are really concerned about the over-emphasis on external exams — which is far greater than in other countries," he said.

"Parents are reading all the time about the pressure to pass examinations.

"They pass that on to their children because they believe they must get good grades to succeed in life."

The survey, which questioned almost 2,000 children, found that 25 per cent did not like being at school most of the time, while 59 per cent of those surveyed did like being at school.

Some 75 per cent of those questioned believed their school work was worth doing.

"Just 50 per cent said most of the time their lessons were interesting.

And just 15 per cent think that their schools always acted fairly when excluding pupils.