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Exam stress and other worries: some practical solutions

Resilience in children and young people – how good health and mental health can help children cope with whatever life throws at them. November 2016

Prof. Jim McManusOCDS, CPsychol, CSci, AFBPsS, FFPH, FCIEH, FRSPH, FRSB Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council

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What is Public Health?

Public Health is everyone’s business.

Our purpose - to work together to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Hertfordshire, based on best practice and best evidence.

• Health Protection • Health Improvement • Health care services

• Public Health is everyone's business

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Public Health needs you………….

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“What can I do as a school governor…….?”

• We can help you with that! • Governors form part of our Public Health army• Public Health is everyone’s business

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Governors will leave this seminar equipped with the following:

• A greater understanding of the worries and mental health issues that face children and young people in Herts schools

• Examples of best practice, and practical tools for addressing the above

• Knowledge about useful local and national resources

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A greater understanding of the worries and mental health issues that face children and young people in Herts schools

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Tips on reducing exam stress• Ensure the school acknowledges that exam time is

stressful and if possible provide activities which address / support young people, not only with revision classes and exam planning, but stress relief techniques as well.

• Encourage down time to continue with regular extra-curriculum activities such as sports and other hobbies. Studying constantly is not productive.

• Encourage healthy eating and exercise as this will reduce stress and improve concentration.

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Examples of best practice, and practical tools for addressing mental health issues in schools

• Whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing from ‘Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing; A whole school and college approach (Public Health England, 2015

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Examples of best practice, and practical tools for addressing mental health issues in schools cont’d….Whole school approach can be supported with a range of programmes / tools;• Penn Resilience Programme – How to Thrive• RSPH Youth Health Champions• NCB Whole school framework for emotional well being and

mental health • Time to Change campaigns• MindEd • MHFA Youth• Mindfulness

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Tools for young people needing additional support

• Kooth• Chat health• Local community counselling services for YP• Safe space – counselling in schools and brief

therapy service• Youngminds website

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Mobilising health at scale – a practical example of the potential

What’s • Free• Fun• Easy to put in place• Health enhancing• Valued by teachers, pupils

and parents?

In Herts – 5 pilot schools, now roll out

• Pupils enjoy it, understanding the health & wellbeing benefits straight away

• The programme is easy to implement & flexible

• Pupils, parents, and teachers value it

• Pupils get fitter, and schools report improved concentration & behaviour

• “I enjoy the Daily Mile because it keeps our bodies fit and you get to hang out with friends” Y3 Pupil, Woodhall School

• “It improves my work because I’ve got more energy” Y5 Pupil, Woodhall School

• “We discussed the Daily Mile in a staff meeting & a week later all children were taking part in 15 minutes of daily exercise! It is easy to do as all the children need are trainers and the set up costs nothing” Teacher, Tannery Drift

• “Almost all the children are engaged and saying they really enjoy it. They like to celebrate when I show them on a map that we have collectively run to New York so far”

Teacher, Westfield Primary

• “I feel the impact made on my child is that they concentrate more in class. It has been good for their mood & they seem happier at home time.”

Parent, Homerswood School

In their words:

Our goal

• We want to support as many schools as possible to do the Daily Mile in Herts

• The Daily Mile is great for health, wellbeing, concentration & exam stress!

• Its targeted at primary school children – other initiatives are needed for those in secondary school

• Founding Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie coming to Hertfordshire’s Primary Schools Conference 24th January– Great opportunity to hear from her & first

wave schools in Herts

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So, what can I do as a school governor?• We’ve talked today about some of the tools you

can use• Ask questions – use your ‘critical friend’ role• Advocate a ‘whole school’ approach

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Thank you for listening.Any questions?