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Exam season: finding support for your anxious child or young person
Published
As exam season approaches, we’ve rounded up a list of mental health support options and top tips to support young people.
Many young people, especially those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can feel worried when exams or assessments come up. Changes in routine, new environments, or worry about getting things “wrong” can all add to stress.
What stress can look like for young people with SEND
Stress can look different for every child or young person. You (or your child) might notice:
- Feeling overwhelmed or getting upset quickly
- Tummy aches or other physical discomforts
- Wanting to avoid schoolwork
- Finding it harder to concentrate
- Becoming unusually quiet or withdrawn
Top tips for before and during exam season
- Keep routines clear and predictable. A simple schedule or visual timetable can help young people feel safe and prepared.
- Try a “Stress Bucket”. Drawing a bucket and talking about what “fills it up” (worries, loud noises, confusion) can help young people describe their feelings. Then add “taps,” showing what helps them feel better—breaks, quiet time, movement, or fidget tools. You can find an example from Young Minds here: stress-bucket-activity.pdf. Young Minds is a national mental health charity with useful Exam Stress advice for young people and their parents and carers.
- If you are preparing for GSCEs or A-levels, check what Access Arrangements have been agreed with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) via your SENDCo. The JCQ sets the rules for how exams should be conducted, including how students with SEND can access support through access arrangements. Disability Rights UK have useful further information about Exam Access Arrangements for GCSEs and A-levels: FAQs
Where to get support locally
Visit On Your Mind Glos for a full list of Mental health services available to young people up to 25 in Gloucestershire.
Services available include:
- Support from Young Minds Matter (YMM) (free in participating schools)
- Support for your worries and fears from Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage (free)
- A one off Let's Talk Well counselling session with One At A Time (free)
- Let's Talk Well online workshops to learn new ways to manage difficult thoughts and feelings with InTER-ACT (free)
- Support from Young Gloucestershire (YG) (free)
If bigger worries come up
If things feel very stressful or overwhelming, families can access these national services anytime:
- Shout – Text 85258 for 24/7 help from trained volunteers.
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 to talk to someone who will listen without judgement.
Children and young people with SEND may experience stress differently, but with gentle guidance, clear communication, and Gloucestershire’s local services, families don’t need to face exam stress alone. There are many ways to help young people feel calmer, more confident, and understood.
For more information, please visit the Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND