Grit and resilience

The government has launched a new initiative to help teachers address a crisis in mental health among young people and a sharp drop in school attendance since the pandemic. The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she wants schools to teach children greater "grit and resilience" to handle "life's ups and downs". It's the latest in a long line of interventions from education secretaries seeking to encourage the values they think children should be learning in school.

Is this the promotion of an important life skill or the latest gimmick burdening teachers?

Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Josephine Casserly, Viv Jones, Jason Murugesu and Nik Sindle Editor: Penny Murphy Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Studio Engineer: Hal Haines