Supporting Surrey Kids Through Back to School Anxiety This September
Why This September Matters More Than Ever for Our Surrey Families
As children across Guildford, Woking, Dorking, Horsley and East Horsley prepare to head back to school, local parents are noticing something significant: the anxiety levels seem higher than they should be. It’s not just first-day jitters anymore. New data from the Department for Education reveals that Surrey pupils missed 5.8% of school sessions in autumn 2025, with 15.1% classified as persistently absent. While these figures sit below the national average, they’re still notably higher than our county’s pre-pandemic baseline of 4.3% in 2019. The impact of those lost years during lockdown continues to ripple through our classrooms and homes. Mindworks Surrey, our NHS-led mental health service for young people, has stepped in with their Small Steps Back to School campaign—a timely initiative recognising that many children in our community are carrying genuine anxiety about returning. Whether it’s their first year at secondary school, the start of an exam year, or simply readjusting to full-time attendance, understanding these concerns matters to all of us invested in our children’s wellbeing.
What Local Parents and Carers Need to Know Right Now
Aoife Kearney-Grieve, a cognitive behavioural therapist at Mindworks Surrey, emphasises that anxiety isn’t something to dismiss or minimise—it’s a real factor affecting school attendance across our region. The pandemic disrupted crucial developmental stages for many of our young residents, stripping away everyday socialisation and the simple learning of how school actually works. This year, that matters. Parents across our Surrey communities should understand that creating a safe space for children to voice their worries is fundamental. Kearney-Grieve recommends approaching these conversations with genuine care and reassurance rather than dismissing concerns as trivial. She notes that even older teenagers, who may seem resistant to parental involvement, benefit enormously from a caring chat. These needn’t be formal counselling sessions—just genuine conversation. It’s equally important to manage expectations about first days. That wobbling feeling on September’s opening morning doesn’t predict how the entire term will unfold. Everyone’s finding their feet simultaneously, and what feels overwhelming initially often settles considerably within days.
Practical Steps Your Family Can Take This Week
Kearney-Grieve offers parents and young people themselves concrete strategies for managing the transition. First, normalise the experience by acknowledging that back-to-school nerves are universal—comparable to an adult’s anxiety on their first day at a new job. Children aren’t alone in these feelings, and knowing that can provide surprising comfort. Second, maintain balance. Children heading into exam years especially need reassurance that academic success doesn’t require sacrificing wellbeing. Continue extra-curricular activities, maintain friendships, and establish consistent sleep routines—these protective factors matter as much as schoolwork. Third, recognise that support isn’t weakness. Schools throughout Surrey employ dedicated staff specifically positioned to help students navigate challenges. Mindworks Surrey offers resources beyond school premises too. If you’re based in our area—whether in Woking, East Horsley, or elsewhere across Surrey—help is genuinely accessible. Young people particularly should understand that seeking support transcends age; there’s no threshold beyond which assistance becomes embarrassing. The stigma around mental health support is fading, and our community benefits when families and young people embrace available resources. Start these conversations early, before September arrives.
Source: How to talk to your kids about back to school nerves
