Best learning resources to keep subjects fresh this summer
Whether your child is transitioning from Primary to Secondary School or preparing for a long summer break after completing their GCSEs or A-levels, online learning resources and summer tutoring can help maintain their skills. Here are some of the best ways to keep your child's mind sharp during the holidays.
Is summer learning loss a real thing?
Much has been written about summer learning loss, with statistics citing a 30% loss in maths and reading skills over the long summer break. However, much of this summer slide research originates from the US, where the summer break is approximately double the length of the UK holiday time.
While UK teachers have noted a decline in some academic skills after the summer, there are ways to mitigate student frustration in September. From encouraging your child to read to a range of online resources which make learning flexible and fun.
1. Best general online learning resources:
Ted-Ed
TED-Ed's mission is to celebrate the ideas of teachers and students worldwide. Everything on this channel supports learning via original animated videos. Lessons are organised by subject and age and range from - How does your immune system work - to Thinking like a coder and Why you should read Macbeth. All videos encourage students to think and dig deeper into the videos with discussion points.
BBC Bitesize (Free, UK curriculum-aligned)
If you haven't yet looked at BBC Bitesize, you're missing an excellent and reliable resource. It's a free online learning platform that provides resources for students from primary school to post-16 education. Not only does it offer a wide range of information, including video clips, interactive quizzes, and revision guides, but it's also designed to help students learn and revise various school subjects, as well as test themselves.
Khan Academy (Free, global, but valuable for maths/science)
Created by US experts, Khan Academy's library of lessons covers math K-12 through early college, grammar, science, history, and more. This site empowers learners to study at their own pace, focusing on skill mastery to help them build the strong foundations necessary for success.
Twinkl (Paid, excellent for primary school resources)
An experienced team of curriculum writers are behind Twinkl, bringing learning to life by creating a constantly growing library of downloadable educational resources. A Twinkl subscription gives access to a curriculum-wide library of over one million resources, all available 24/7. From eBooks to art projects, 3D scientific models to interactive games.
Seneca Learning https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
Seneca Learning is a free online learning platform that uses cognitive science techniques like spaced repetition and retrieval practice to help students study more effectively. It's suitable for KS2, KS3, GCSE, and A-Level and covers Maths, English, Science, History, Languages, and more (including exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, and OCR). It also includes GCSE and A-Level revision courses.
2. Maths-specific resources:
Dr Frost Maths
Dr Frost Maths is an online mathematics learning platform with teaching resources, videos, a bank of questions, online mock exams and more. Founded by Dr Jamie Frost, a maths teacher and PhD graduate, the platform is renowned for its rigorous, exam-focused approach and alignment with the UK examining boards (Edexcel, AQA, OCR, and more).
MyMaths (UK-focused, interactive lessons)
MyMaths offers a 30-day free trial, which is well worth trying during the summer. This online interactive learning platform is designed to support primary and secondary school students (typically ages 4-16) in mastering mathematics. There are Curriculum-Aligned Lessons that cover KS1, KS2, KS3, and GCSE (UK) or equivalent levels. Topics range from basic arithmetic to algebra, geometry, and statistics. Plus, automatically marked exercises with instant feedback.
3. Online tutoring:
You may be wondering if your child needs online tutoring during the summer, and the answer depends on your child, their individual needs, the subject they are studying, and the level of help they require.
Students heading into Years 11 and 13 (GCSE, A-levels) or those taking entrance exams can all benefit from online support during the summer.
However, an online tutor can also provide targeted skill reinforcement in maths, reading, or writing to ensure they retain knowledge. One-on-one support in areas such as math, science, or languages, without the classroom pressure. They can also help spark curiosity beyond the school curriculum and help with study skills, organisation, and time management.
University students can also benefit, as a white paper report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education found that the benefits of online college tutors helped students make strides in "attitude and retention" compared to students without tutoring.
4. Summer courses:
If you're in Year 12 or 13, pre-university, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs can be found at universities like Oxford, Cambridge, King's College London, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics (LSE), and the University of Warwick.
Summer courses typically run for one to five weeks, often during June, July, and August, and offer Year 12 and 13 students a good insight into university-style teaching. Be aware that fees are high for these courses; for example, the LSE Summer School tuition fees for 2025 range from £3,100 for one session to £6,000 for three sessions for students.
While the Summer Reading Challenge isn't a course, it is a free challenge for primary school children delivered in partnership with public libraries across the UK. Throughout the summer, children participating in 'Story Garden' can discover new books, engage in free activities at their local library, and explore the connection between reading and the great outdoors.
95% of participants continue reading at least once a week after taking part and 70% report increased reading confidence, which makes it a pretty good resource for the summer.