While some children and young people feel excited to see friends and return to familiar routines, others may experience worry or anxiety.
These feelings can be especially intense during periods of change, such as moving from primary to secondary school, starting sixth form, or returning after a difficult term.
At Cygnet, our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams support young people every day who are navigating anxiety.
Here, our specialists share reassurance, insight, and practical advice to help families prepare for a smoother return to school.
Why does back to school anxiety happen?
Anxiety doesn’t always have a single cause. Often, it develops from a combination of factors over time. Understanding what may be driving these feelings can help parents and carers respond with empathy and support.
Common triggers
Fear of the unknown
Starting a new school, meeting new teachers, or adjusting to unfamiliar routines can feel overwhelming. Young people may worry about fitting in, finding their way around, or coping with expectations.
Academic pressure
Concerns about keeping up with schoolwork, achieving good grades, or understanding lessons can create stress, particularly for those who have struggled academically before.
Social worries
Friendships can shift over the summer. Some children may worry about being included, experience fears around bullying, or feel unsure about how to reconnect with peers.
Separation anxiety
For younger children, or those who have spent extended time at home, being away from family can feel difficult. This may show as clinginess, distress, or physical complaints.
Previous negative experiences
Difficult past experiences, such as bullying, challenges with learning, or strained relationships with teachers, can resurface as anxiety when returning to school.
Changes in routine
Moving from relaxed summer schedules to structured school days, early mornings, and homework can feel jarring and hard to adjust to.
Signs your child may be experiencing anxiety
Children and young people don’t always say “I feel anxious.” Instead, anxiety often shows up in physical, emotional, and behavioural ways. Spotting these early can help you provide support before things become overwhelming.
Physical signs
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches, particularly on school days
- Nausea, dizziness, or changes in appetite
- Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or difficulty getting up
Behavioural changes
- Increased irritability, mood swings, or tearfulness
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or favourite activities
- Clinginess or reluctance to separate from parents or carers
- Avoiding getting ready or “forgetting” things for school
School avoidance or refusal
- Repeated requests to stay home
- Emotional distress before school (e.g. panic or anger)
- A drop in attendance, engagement, or academic performance
Negative thinking or self-talk
- Expressing fears about failure or not being liked
- Excessive worry about homework or tests
- Statements such as “I can’t do this” or “I don’t want to go”
Regression in younger children
- Bedwetting, tantrums, or behaviours they had previously outgrown
- Increased need for reassurance or dependence on caregivers
If these signs persist for more than a couple of weeks, it may indicate that extra support is needed. Trust your instincts: if something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to seek help.