Should students study over the summer?
Summer learning loss, also known as "summer slide," refers to the tendency for students to lose some of the academic gains they made during the previous school year over the summer break. Studies have shown that students can lose approximately one to two months of learning over the summer break, particularly in reading and maths.
Research by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and various educational institutions highlights that summer learning loss is more pronounced in mathematics than reading. Interestingly, many of these studies are US-based, where the summer break extends to 10 to 12 weeks, compared to 6 - 8 weeks in the UK.
Summer holidays provide essential downtime for mental health and overall well-being for children and teens. Younger children, in particular, need time for physical activities, outdoor play, and unstructured fun, which are crucial for their physical development.
Older teens studying for GCSE, A-levels and University exams also need time to relieve some of the academic pressure of exams and higher education work.
That said, balance is key. Activities like reading can help retain knowledge and skills gained during the school year, and for some year groups (see below), reviewing material and getting a head start on new topics can ease the transition into the next academic year.
Primary aged children
For primary school children, the advice is to keep reading.
Reading is crucial for primary school children as it lays the foundation for future learning and development, affecting their academic and cognitive growth. To help get them involved in The Summer Reading Challenge, This starts on 22 June online in Scotland and 6 July in England and Wales.
You can participate in two ways: join the Challenge at your local library. A librarian will give you a special collector's pack and help you find books to read for your Challenge. You'll collect stickers and other rewards along the way!
Alternatively, you can take part in the Challenge online by signing up here! Set a reading goal and log your books on your profile. Reach your goal to unlock a limited-edition online badge and a certificate.
Entrance Exams and 11+
For many grammar schools, the 11+ exam will occur during the first two weeks of September, so summer is a crucial time to study. Past papers, reading and working with a tutor can all be beneficial during summer.
If you and your child are considering the 11+ or entrance exams for the 2025/26 academic year, summer is an excellent time to focus on what needs to be done.
Begin researching the 11+ exam and the requirements of the schools your child is interested in attending. Understand the exam format, the subjects tested, and any specific skills or knowledge areas your child needs to develop. Then, introduce your child to sample questions and materials for the 11+ exam. Start with informal practice sessions and build towards more structured study in the autumn term.
Secondary school KS3
Children in years 7 - 9 are the ones who probably can get by by doing the least amount of work over the summer. Those in transition to secondary school may have extra reading or a project to do, but on the whole, there's nothing specific beyond reading or catching up that they may need to work on.
Secondary school KS4
Students in Year 10 should engage in various academic and extracurricular activities in the summer to prepare for their final years of secondary school. Knowledge gaps should be addressed to improve comprehension and analysis.
Building on algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills will all help. Students moving from Year 10 to 11 could go over Year 10 work to help manage their revision for Year 11.
GCSE to Sixth Form
Knowing what to do when you have finished GCSEs once you have your results can be hard. What can help is to research the subjects you plan to study and then do some preliminary reading around the exam specification and the subject.
A-Levels - years 12 to 13
There's a real benefit to students approaching year 13 to study over the summer break. Not only is it a good time to solidify knowledge by reviewing content learned in Year 12, but This can reduce the workload in Year 13 and help with ongoing revision.
Summer should also be the time to focus on personal statements, supercurriculars, applications to UCAS or Oxbridge, and any extra exams your child might take in Year 13, such as the STEP, MAT, TMUA, and LNAT.