Are our young people genuinely struggling, or are we failing to support them?
Since Just Great Teaching (2019), the SEND crisis has deepened—yet mental health labels are now weaponised by some, misunderstood by many, and often unsupported by our wider, social care systems.
From classroom nerves to a national concern
After thirty‑four years in teaching, I’ve watched 'anxiety' evolve from a quiet classroom whisper into a national conversation. What was once labelled ‘nerves’ before an exam now now shapes timetables—as exam stress moves from “nerves” to institutional concern (NSPCC: 10 % rise in exam stress counselling),
