SCHOOL stress is what parents are most worried about for their children in the new year, a survey reveals today.

A poll of more than 1,000 parents of four to 18-year-olds by children’s charity Barnardo’s found that 86 per cent had concerns about what 2019 would have in store for their children.

More than 40 per cent said their main worry was about their children suffering exam and school stress.

The impact of Brexit, online and offline bullying, the impact of cuts to children’s services, not receiving timely support for mental ill-health and being affected by drugs or knife crime were other concerns reported.

Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said it was “troubling, although not surprising” that the majority of parents are concerned about their children being stressed about school and exams.

“Learning how to cope with stress is a vital life skill. Without this, children can find it overwhelming, and then it can develop into a serious mental health issue,” Mr Khan said. “Schools must look at ways of how to reduce the stress their pupils face, and how to deal with it.”

With local authorities facing a £3 billion funding gap for services by 2025, Mr Khan said it is vital that the government takes note of parents’ concerns about cuts to services and provides them with enough resources to “plug the gap.”

He added: “Otherwise, we will see even less support for the vital work children’s services do – like counselling children to overcome trauma, helping them to stay in education or making sure they have a secure home.”