The Telegraph – Josie Gurney-Read
” Mental health issues among young people represent one of the “greatest challenges” schools face today, but too many head teachers are “ignoring” the problem, a former leading headmaster has warned. Peter Tait, the former head of Sherborne Preparatory School, Dorset, said, at some schools, the pursuit of academic success was encouraged to the detriment of pupil well-being, while other schools used “anxiety and fear of failure” to drive performance. In an attack on the drive for academic results, Mr Tait said that the need for “urgent and concerted action could no longer be ignored” as increasing numbers of pupils are reporting mental health issues. Highlighting a recent survey by the Girl Guides, which found that 46 per cent of girls aged 11 to 21 said they have needed help with mental health issues, Mr Tait blamed academic pressure and the rise of social media for the increase.”(more)