This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-33984082

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Schoolchildren in England 'among unhappiest in world' Schoolchildren in England 'among unhappiest in world'
(34 minutes later)
Schoolchildren in England are among the unhappiest in the world, behind countries such as Ethiopia, Algeria and Romania, research suggests.Schoolchildren in England are among the unhappiest in the world, behind countries such as Ethiopia, Algeria and Romania, research suggests.
The Children's Society report, which looked at 15 diverse countries, ranked England 14th for life satisfaction of its young people, ahead of South Korea.The Children's Society report, which looked at 15 diverse countries, ranked England 14th for life satisfaction of its young people, ahead of South Korea.
The charity said there should be a legal requirement for English schools to provide counselling.The charity said there should be a legal requirement for English schools to provide counselling.
Ministers said all schools must have measures in place to tackle bullying.Ministers said all schools must have measures in place to tackle bullying.
Schools were also encouraged to have counsellors available, they added.Schools were also encouraged to have counsellors available, they added.
Physically bulliedPhysically bullied
The University of York carried out the research among more than 53,000 children aged between eight and 12 in 15 countries. The University of York carried out the research in England, which was then drawn together for the Children's Worlds project and compared with data from 14 other countries.
Researchers surveyed more than 53,000 children in total, aged between eight and 12, from diverse cultures and places, from remote villages to large cities.
Levels of unhappiness at schools in England grew as children got older - 61% of 10-year-olds said they enjoyed school but the figure fell to 43% by the age of 12.Levels of unhappiness at schools in England grew as children got older - 61% of 10-year-olds said they enjoyed school but the figure fell to 43% by the age of 12.
More than a third (38%) aged between 10 and 12 reported being physically bullied in the previous month, and half said they felt isolated at school.More than a third (38%) aged between 10 and 12 reported being physically bullied in the previous month, and half said they felt isolated at school.
Children's Society chief executive Matthew Reed said: "What we're really concerned about is the impact that has on their lives now and in the future. English girls ranked second lowest for happiness with their body confidence, self-confidence and appearance, rating their satisfaction as 7.3 out of 10 on average. This places them just above South Korea, with a mean score of 7.1.
"That's why we think it is really important that schools in England should have counselling available for all children - it's already available in Wales, it's already in Northern Ireland - a legal responsibility for schools so all children do get the support they need." Colombian girls topped the table for body confidence, with an average rating of 9.6, followed by Romania with 9.4.
Whilst the findings do not indicate why children in England feel more unhappy than others, Kevin Courtney, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Teachers blamed poor mental health on the "narrow curriculum" and "exam factories" culture in schools.
Working hardWorking hard
He said children were too often branded "failures" when barely into primary education, and tests at all stages of school life could lead to "serious stress-related anxiety."
Children's Society chief executive Matthew Reed said it was important for schools in England to make counselling available for all children.
"It's already available in Wales, it's already in Northern Ireland - a legal responsibility for schools so all children do get the support they need," he added.
The charity also called for an increase in funding on children's mental health.The charity also called for an increase in funding on children's mental health.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said the government was working hard to tackle the issue of mental health. A Department for Education spokeswoman said the government was working hard to tackle the issue of mental health, and was providing more than £7m to help schools tackle bullying.
She said: "Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and all schools must have measures in place to tackle it. That is why we are providing more than £7m to help schools tackle bullying head on. "We are also promoting greater use of counselling in schools, improving teaching about mental health, and supporting joint working between mental health services and schools," she said.
"We are also promoting greater use of counselling in schools, improving teaching about mental health, and supporting joint working between mental health services and schools.
"This will ensure children can thrive both inside and out the classroom."