Summer holidays are a much-needed break for students — a time for relaxing, playing, travelling, and recharging. But while children are away from the classroom, something else happens that is easy to overlook: the summer learning gap.
This gap — also called summer learning loss or the summer setback — can significantly affect a student’s ability to re-engage when the new term begins. Some students return refreshed and ready. Others, particularly those without access to learning resources at home, may fall behind. Without action, gaps in knowledge can grow wider over time.
In this guide, we explore what the summer learning gap is, how to recognise it, and the best ways families and schools can help children return to school confident and prepared.
What is the summer learning gap?
The summer learning gap refers to the academic regression many students experience over the school holidays. When learning routines stop, essential knowledge — especially in maths and English — can begin to fade. This is what people often mean when they talk about “summer learning loss.”
The effects can be strongest among students in key transition years: for example, those preparing to move from Year 6 to Year 7, or entering exam years like Year 10. Without reinforcement, these learners may face a high-pressure start, often needing to rebuild skills they had already mastered before the break.
What makes the summer setback more challenging is that it often affects vulnerable or disadvantaged students the most. For these learners, returning in a lower position than their peers can harm motivation and self-belief, making it even harder to catch up.
How to recognise the signs of summer learning loss
Not all children show signs of summer learning loss in the same way — and in some cases, it might take weeks to become noticeable.
However, teachers tend to spot early indicators in a few key areas:
- In literacy, students may struggle with comprehension, read more hesitantly, or make more frequent spelling and grammar mistakes. Previously confident writers might find it harder to focus or structure their work.
- In maths, they might forget number facts, take longer to solve familiar problems, or lose confidence with mental calculations and multi-step questions.
- Behaviourally and emotionally, children affected by the summer learning gap may appear withdrawn, hesitant to participate, or easily frustrated. Some find it difficult to rejoin the rhythm of lessons, stay focused, or use classroom tools like planners and timetables effectively.
This means that instead of building on last year’s progress, schools often need to spend part of the new academic year revisiting old material — a challenge for both learners and teachers.
How families can help prevent summer learning loss
The good news is that avoiding the summer setback does not require exhaustive workbooks or an academic timetable. Just a small amount of structured support each week — woven into everyday routines — can make a significant difference.
Here are a few ideas families can use at home:
- Encourage writing in creative ways: a postcard to a friend, a summer journal, or even a short comic strip.
- Explore everyday maths: ask children to work out the cost of a meal, plan a budget for weekly shopping, or tally prices during online purchases.
- Make screen time productive: educational apps such as Duolingo, Prodigy, or BBC Bitesize keep skills sharp while making learning enjoyable.
- Blend education with entertainment: watch film versions of set English texts or documentaries linked to history or geography subjects they’ve studied.
Consistency is key — just one hour of targeted learning each week can help keep knowledge in place and boost a child’s confidence going into the new term.
The value of summer tuition
In some cases, personalised attention during the holidays can transform how a student approaches the academic year ahead.
Private online tutoring can be especially effective for students approaching transitions or high-stakes academic years. Learners can revisit topics at their own pace, guided by qualified tutors who focus on core skills and individual learning goals.
Importantly, summer tuition doesn’t have to feel like school. Informal, engaging one-to-one sessions allow children to learn in a flexible, responsive environment where their needs are front and centre.
Many parents find that even one online lesson per week helps their child start September feeling more prepared and less anxious about upcoming changes in school life.
Balance matters: learning and leisure can coexist
Of course, the aim of preventing summer learning loss is not to eliminate rest and relaxation. Holidays should be a time to recharge — children need time away from stress, the freedom to explore hobbies, and plenty of space to just be kids.
Creating a balanced approach means allowing for unstructured time while providing gentle, regular opportunities to keep learning momentum alive. Families do not need to recreate the school day at home; just being interested in what children are doing and finding small ways to link those activities back to core skills can go a long way.
Why it’s worth tackling the summer learning gap
When schools and families work together to address the summer learning gap, the results are visible from the first few weeks of September.
Students begin the term ready to engage, with the confidence that their knowledge and abilities haven’t taken a step backwards. Rather than spending the first month catching up, they can get straight into building new skills.
And when asked, “What did you do over the summer?” perhaps more children will be able to say, “I had fun — and I kept learning too.”
Key takeaways for avoiding the summer learning gap:
- Understand what summer learning loss is and how it appears
- Integrate light, consistent educational activities into summer days
- Consider tutoring for students facing academic transitions or exam years
- Prioritise balance — avoid pressure while still encouraging curiosity
- Support children with interest and encouragement over structure
How TLC LIVE can help
At TLC LIVE, we provide flexible online tutoring services led by qualified UK teachers. Even during the holidays, a weekly session can help reinforce core topics in English or maths, rebuild confidence, and ensure students return to school feeling prepared.
Ready to support your child’s summer learning?
Get in touch to learn how we can help make the next school year a confident one.
By Ryan Lockett, Director of Studies at TLC LIVE Online Tutoring