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New research1 from specialist education insurer Ecclesiastical has revealed half of UK independent schools have seen an increase in pupil stress (49%) and anxiety (47%) during the past 12 months, representing a steep rise since the pandemic2.
The survey of 250 UK independent school leaders discovered two in five schools have also witnessed an increase in body image issues (43%) and depression (41%) among pupils, up sharply on previous years3.
Contributing factors to pupil mental health issues
The average age independent schools identify pupil mental health issues is 11 years old. A crucial and anxious year for many pupils, as they transition from junior to secondary education.
The research discovered the top contributing factors to poor pupil mental health were peer pressure to fit in (33%), unrealistic body images portrayed on social media/mainstream media (33%), and dysfunctional home life (32%). Pressure from parents to be successful (31%) and face-to-face bullying (31%) are also key contributors to pupil mental health issues.
Supporting pupils with mental health issues
Supporting pupils with mental health issues is a top priority for independent schools. The survey found the vast majority (86%) have increased support for pupils with mental health issues.
Seven in 10 (71%) feel equipped to identify pupils with mental health issues, and four in five (78%) feel equipped to support pupils with mental health issues. Encouragingly, the number of independent school teachers who don’t feel equipped to support pupils has halved from 16% during the pandemic to just 8% in 2024.
Ecclesiastical supports independent schools with free Youth Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid training to manage pupils’ mental health. Funded by Ecclesiastical and delivered in partnership with Mental Health in Business, during the past two years, 64 independent schools have learnt practical skills to spot the signs of mental health issues and how to support young people in distress. A further 32 independent schools will benefit from the training in 2024.
“As one of the leading insurers of independent schools in the UK, Ecclesiastical is passionate about supporting the independent education sector. Our research has found that pupil mental health issues have increased; however, it is encouraging to see that the majority of independent schools have increased their support for pupils and feel equipped to support them. We encourage independent schools to think about the risks they may face and how best to protect their organisations for the future.”
Ecclesiastical Insurance’s Independent Schools Risk Barometer 2024 explores the top risks within the education sector and focuses on key areas of concern, including mergers and acquisitions, mental health, and safeguarding. It is the latest in a series of sector insights from Ecclesiastical Insurance, combining independent research with specialist knowledge from the insurer.
Ecclesiastical Insurance offers a range of risk management support and guidance to help independent schools manage the risks they face.
1 The survey was commissioned by Ecclesiastical Insurance and conducted by OnePoll with 250 UK independent school leaders (including bursars, head teachers, deputy head teachers, heads of departments) 8 – 14 February 2024
2 The survey was commissioned by Ecclesiastical Insurance and conducted by OnePoll with 500 UK professionals in schools and sixth forms from 1 – 19 October 2021. 117 were from independent schools. 39% of independent schools said pupil stress had increased and 38% said had anxiety had increased since the pandemic.
3 21% of independent schools said body images issues had increase and 35% said depressed had increased since the pandemic.