Headteachers are increasingly concerned over the mental health and wellbeing of pupils, a new report has revealed. The research, commissioned by specialist education recruitment agency Spencer Clarke Group, found that while schools are doing their best to support pupils, there is an urgent need for greater access to specialist mental health provision and more structured help for families to address issues early on.
According to GOV.UK, 22% of Key Stage 3 pupils and 30% of Key Stage 4 pupils reported missing school in the past two weeks due to anxiety or mental health problems. Despite government plans to expand Mental Health Support Teams to cover up to 60% of pupils by March 2026, school leaders say support remains insufficient to meet current needs.
The Spencer Clarke Group report found that 87.5% of Headteachers are ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about pupil mental health and wellbeing within their school and are increasingly expected to do more with less.
One Headteacher warned, “Schools should focus less on labeling students with mental health issues and provide more mental health workers and parental support.”
The report also found that supporting students with SEND, combined with mounting budget pressures, remains a major challenge for schools. Long waiting lists for external services are contributing to rising behavioural concerns, reduced attendance and increased pressure on staff.
One Headteacher noted that these pressures stem from ‘local authorities not providing sufficient funding for SEND pupils, appropriate resources or provision.’
They continued, “Children are stuck in settings that are not appropriate, this then means behaviour escalates, an increase in school avoidance and Teachers wellbeing decreases.”
Education recruitment specialist, Jamie Heath, said, “The findings from this report convey a clear message that the level of pupil mental health need is escalating faster than the support available. Urgent investment in school-based mental health professionals is needed before more children start to fall through the cracks.”
Jamie continued, “Addressing mental health early is key. By equipping schools with the right resources now, we can prevent small issues from becoming crises for young people.”
Read the full SCG School Insights Report 2025.
Spencer Clarke Group is an award winning education and SEND recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. They work alongside mainstream and SEND schools nationwide to supply teaching and support staff.
After growing exponentially since 2017, Spencer Clarke Group was named Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards, and Best Company to Work For (up to 100 employees) at the REC Awards in 2025. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.
