The Crisis and Hope in Youth Resilience

Written by Holly Waddell, Associate Director at ImpactEd Evaluation.

Today's young people face unprecedented challenges that test their resilience and confidence - qualities essential for thriving in an increasingly complex world. The latest research paints a stark picture of the hurdles they face, yet also reveals their remarkable determination to succeed.

The mental health crisis among school aged children has reached alarming levels.

One in five children and young people in England now struggle with a probable mental disorder, according to 2023 NHS data.

Referrals to crisis care teams and mental health services have hit record highs, while the high-stakes environment of GCSE examinations, with heavy emphasis on final exams, continues to fuel anxiety and mental health concerns among students.

The weight of economic uncertainty

The numbers are sobering: 4.3 million UK children are growing up in poverty in the UK. This harsh reality has contributed to the widest educational attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged pupils in over a decade in 2022/23. Young people's concerns extend beyond immediate needs - over half worry they may never achieve financial security. The ripple effects touch every aspect of their lives, from job prospects to housing affordability and transportation access.

The attendance challenge

Post Covid-19 pandemic, school attendance has become a critical issue. Approximately 1.6 million pupils - or 21.2% - are now classified as persistently absent. Our own research at ImpactEd Group shows that a strong sense of school belonging drives attendance, highlighting the vital connection between emotional wellbeing and educational engagement.

The Digital dilemma

Young people also face a paradoxical challenge in the digital realm. While screen time and social media use continue to surge - raising concerns about self-esteem, safety, and wellbeing - digital poverty widens. This creates a troubling gap: despite growing demand for digital skills and AI literacy in the workforce, many young people lack access to essential technology and training.

Schools under strain

Educational institutions are caught in a perfect storm. Since the pandemic, school staff have taken on expanded emotional support and pastoral duties, often feeling underprepared for these crucial responsibilities. Meanwhile, school funding fails to keep pace with rising costs, forcing difficult choices between basic provisions and addressing these new challenges.

Hope on the horizon

Amidst these challenges, young people's ambition shines through. Two-thirds maintain determination to achieve their life goals, and they believe strongly in adults' power to positively transform their lives. This optimism demands action from us all.

While systemic changes and policy reforms are essential for improving young people's lives and education, we cannot wait for these alone. Every professional working with young people must be equipped to nurture resilience and confidence to support mental health and wellbeing. The challenges are significant, but so too is our collective capacity to meet them. This is why the Game Plan programme that High Performance Foundation is developing is so needed. Building the foundations for a positive future for young people, as individuals as well as a collective, is at stake.

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About the Author

Holly Waddell is an Associate Director at ImpactEd Evaluation, part of the ImpactEd Group.

ImpactEd Group supports education and purpose-driven organisations to maximise their potential, increasing impact and operational sustainability.

ImpactEd Group is made up of ImpactEd Consulting, ImpactEd Evaluation, ImpactEd Philanthropy and ImpactEd Data and AI. For more information, please contact us at hello@impactedgroup.uk

Note: It is important to note that research into the resilience and confidence of children and young people, alongside accompanying factors, is ongoing and new evidence is continually emerging which should be taken into account alongside this article.

Healing Academy becomes a High Performance Foundation Pioneering School!

As part of the High Performance Foundation education evolution, Healing Academy has become a High Performance Foundation Pioneer School. Under the leadership of its new Principal, Stephen Logan—who stepped into the role in July—the school is not just committed to academic excellence, but to transforming the lives of its students, parents, and staff.

Logan, a staunch advocate for improving standards, who has recently been featured in the Grimsby Telegraph has joined forces with the High Performance Foundation to drive this mission forward. The school has launched a series of cutting-edge initiatives this year designed to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the modern world. These include building partnerships with Humber businesses, preparing students for real-world challenges, and promoting literacy across the curriculum to enhance critical thinking.

But Healing Academy's ambitions go even further. As the first-ever High Performance Foundation School Pioneer, the school is cultivating a culture of excellence, drawing on powerful resources and tools, including the popular High Performance Podcast. Through these resources, the school is helping students build lasting habits of success, resilience, and personal growth.

What does this mean for Healing Academy?

As a School Pioneer, it gains access to exclusive content, expert training, and advanced resources tailored to support the school’s unique journey. Even more exciting, Healing Academy can earn the prestigious High Performance Foundation badge—an emblem of its dedication to fostering the next generation of high achievers.

Teachers and students are also set to benefit from the school’s involvement in exclusive events, including live recordings of the High Performance Podcast hosted by Jake Humphries and Damian Hughes. Featuring some of the world's most inspiring and successful individuals, these events promise to ignite ambition and celebrate the accomplishments of the Healing Academy community.

With such innovative strides, Healing Academy is set to become a beacon of high performance, raising the bar for education across the region. 

Healing Academy

"We are delighted to be trailing the High Performance Foundation Game Plan resources with our Year 11 pupils as part of their preparation of life curriculum. This is part of our commitment at Healing Academy in supporting our young people to find, unlock and peruse their own version of high performance. We highly recommend engaging and supporting this great initiative."

Stephen Logan, Principal

Find out more about becoming a pioneer school by getting in touch today.