AS summer draws to a close, families will be looking ahead to the start of the new school term.

For some children, it will be a welcome return to classmates and routine but for others September could bring worries about what the new term could hold.

Last year Childline delivered 2,283 counselling sessions to young people worried about returning to school. More than a third were in August and September, and more than half were with 12-to-15-year-olds. Some were concerned about starting a new school or college, others about the challenge of making new friends. Some felt overwhelmed by the new term, some were worried about how others might react to how their appearances had changed over summer, others felt unsure they could settle back into the school routine.

Children in secondary school said they were worried about getting good grades and picking subjects in important years. Some neurodivergent pupils were worried about being overstimulated and about social interactions, while others were concerned about new teachers, a different commute or getting lost or being late.

One teenage girl told Childline: “I’m not looking forward to the new term: the bus journey to school is exhausting and I don’t have the energy to do anything after classes. I’m also stressing out I’ll have to pick my GCSE, but I have no idea what I want to do.”

While some young people might feel anxious about returning to school, or starting a new school, our counsellors have also spoken to some young people who were excited to get back to education and had missed the support from teachers and friends.

If your child is worried about returning to school there are ways to support them. Encourage them to write down their feelings, including everything they’re looking forward to at school and what they’re worried about. Talk through the list and their concerns, help them cope with their worries and look at the positives.

Once your child has shared anxieties, try talking through some practical solutions. Start by asking what might help them feel better about the situations worrying them. Remind them that adjustment can take time. It’s alright if it doesn’t feel comfortable at first, and they can always speak to you or another safe adult about whatever is worrying them.

Ensure they find time to do things they enjoy outside of school hours too, giving them something to look forward to.

It is important to remind children they can talk to a safe adult about anything that’s bothering them.

On a logistical level, help them make sure their bag is packed and their uniform and lunch is ready the night before their return to school making things easier in the morning can be a big help.

* Our Childline counsellors are here round the clock on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk