A GROWING number of students are attending counselling sessions due to stress and worries over opening their exam results, data reveals.

In the past year, more and more children have been attending therapy and counselling sessions due to anxiety over receiving their A-Level and GCSE results.

Children's charity Childline reveal there are 1,141 counselling sessions being delivered to children and teenagers in 2018 to 2019, increasing by more than 50 per cent since 2014 to 2015.

A fifth of these therapy sessions took place in August, when students receive their A-Level and GCSE results from Schools and Colleges.

The charity have explained that children call because they are worried about whether they will get the grades they need to get into University and not wanting to let down their teachers or parents.

One girl who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I am so afraid of not getting the right grades. I'm terrified that I've messed it all up and I'll ruin my future. I don't know how to cope.”

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of Childline said: “I am sure we all felt nervous at exam time, but the possibility of failure has taken on a greater importance than ever before, and is deeply worrying our children.

"Young people are turning to Childline when they become so anxious that they are overcome with panic or lose precious sleep. And this is reflected in the rising number of Childline’s counselling sessions." The children's charity outline that many young people have said they can not sleep over their exam results.

Childline has issued some tips to help students cope:

  • Do not panic if you do not get the results you were hoping for.
  • You may have to make some tough decisions, but remember you always have options and you can get help
  • Everyone is different so try not to compare your results to your friends or classmates
  • If you're disappointed with your results, it can help to talk to a teacher or someone you trust about how you are feeling.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said: “Reaching out to a parent, teacher or by contacting us at Childline will hopefully put things in perspective and make them feel more positive about receiving their exam results and what comes next.”