Avoiding the Summer Slide: Why summer learning matters more than ever

For students, the summer holidays are a well-earned break from routine - a time to recharge, explore, and relax. But while rest is important, research shows that switching off entirely from learning over the long break can have real academic consequences.

This phenomenon, often called the “summer slide” or summer learning loss, refers to the loss of academic skills and knowledge that can occur when learning comes to a halt for several weeks.

What is the summer slide?

The summer slide isn’t just an educational buzzword - it’s backed by decades of research. Studies from organisations such as the Education Endowment Foundation and the NWEA in the US have found that students, particularly in primary and lower secondary school, can lose up to two months of learning progress in reading and even more in maths over the summer holidays.

The impact is cumulative, too: year after year, the learning loss adds up, meaning students may return to school in September with a noticeable dip in confidence and performance.

Why it matters in 2025

This year, the education landscape remains challenging. Many students are still catching up from disruptions caused by the pandemic years, and curriculum expectations continue to rise. The long summer break can create a widening gap between students who continue to engage with learning and those who don’t - especially when access to educational support is unequal.

That’s why the summer holidays are not just a break - they’re a bridge. And what students do during this time can either strengthen or weaken that bridge into the next academic year.

Rethinking summer learning

Summer learning doesn’t have to mean endless textbooks or cancelling holiday plans. In fact, the most effective summer learning often looks different to classroom education - and that’s a good thing. The goal is to keep brains active, curiosity alive, and confidence building. Here’s how.

How to beat the slide without burning out

For students:

• Set a mini goal: Want to get better at writing? Master long division? Improve your vocabulary? Choose one small goal for the summer and track your progress.

• Read every day: Even just 20 minutes of reading a day can make a big difference - and it can be anything from novels to news articles, even audio books will have a positive impact!

• Make learning part of life: Cooking = maths. Travel = geography. Watching a documentary = science. Learning isn’t limited to textbooks!

• Use tech smartly: Apps like Quizlet, EduBridge Classroom or BBC Bitesize are great for bite-sized learning - perfect for shorter bursts of revision or recapping.

• Work with a tutor: A weekly session with a tutor can help keep academic muscles active, boost confidence, and make September feel less daunting.

For parents:

• Encourage curiosity: Let your child explore subjects they love. Summer is a great time to nurture passions they don’t get much time for during term-time.

• Create a routine: A gentle daily or weekly structure can help maintain a rhythm - even 30 minutes of learning each day can prevent regression.

• Celebrate progress: Whether it’s finishing a book or learning five new words, recognising effort helps build intrinsic motivation.

Students who continue to learn over summer often return to school ahead, not behind. They’re more confident, more prepared, and less overwhelmed. Rather than using the first few weeks of September to relearn old content, they can focus on building new knowledge - and that gives them a real advantage.

Summer doesn’t need to be all work and no play - but with a balanced approach, students can enjoy their holiday and keep their learning fresh. It’s not about replicating school at home. It’s about protecting the progress already made and stepping into the next academic year ready to thrive.

If you’re thinking about how to support your child’s learning this summer, our team at EduBridge is here to help. From one-to-one tutoring to tailored revision support, we can create a plan that fits around your family’s summer - not the other way around.

Let’s turn this summer into a springboard for success.