The hidden burden of parental stress during exam season

Parents losing sleep and cancelling plans to help children revise

More than half of households (51%) are being negatively impacted by exam stress and 45% of parents say they're more stressed about their children's exams compared to them, according to new research we recently commissioned.

The Censuswide survey of 1,000 parents whose children are sitting exams this year has uncovered that exam stress is having a significant impact on their day-to-day lives across the UK.

• One in four parents say they lie awake at night worrying about children's exams

• Over 50% of parents report the home being hit negatively by exam stress

• Mums are more than twice as likely to take on the greatest responsibility for managing their children's revision than dads

• One in five of parents earning less than £25k per year are as stressed about exams as they are about bills

Parents often put their own stress aside to support their children during exam season, but the research shows it is still affecting how they parent. In the survey, 41% said exam stress has changed their parenting style, with nearly one in three (28%) admitting they have tried to motivate their children to revise with rewards and bribes.

Too many parents sideline their own mental wellbeing during exams season, often to the detriment of both themselves and their children.

To help address this, we’ve partnered with Clare Martin, founder of Goldcrest Training, a positive psychology consultancy, as part of our Exam Masterclasses, designed to help effectively prepare students for their exams.

Sean Hirons, co-founder of MyEdSpace said: “It's well-known that students suffer from stress during exam season, but far less attention is being paid to the parents who are suffering in silence."

"Parents across the country are lying awake at night worried about their child's exams but they're given little to no support, and families across the UK are suffering as a result. What's even worse is that grades inevitably take a hit as a result of this."

"That's why we thought it was important to give free support to parents. Exams are important, but it's even more important that parents and their children look after their mental wellbeing so they have all the tools to get through this period." 

Clare Martin, said: "I’m really excited to be partnering with MyEdSpace to deliver wellbeing sessions for students and parents. Exam season can be an intense time and a small shift in how we understand and manage stress can make a huge difference. 

"These sessions will give students practical tools to stay calm, focused, and confident, while also helping parents look after their own wellbeing and feel more equipped to support their child through the revision and exam period. This approach is grounded in positive education research, which consistently shows that wellbeing and academic performance go hand in hand.”

For more advice and support on what you can do to understand and manage stress during exams, check out English teacher Louis Provis' guide for parents.