Survey suggests many parents want school summer holidays to be shorter to improve learning

THREE in four mums and dads believe their child’s academic abilities slip over the long summer break, according to a poll.

It suggests that many parents wish the holidays were shorter to help keep their youngster’s learning at a steady pace throughout the year.

The survey also indicates that by the time children return to school, many struggle to get back into a term-time routine.

Overall, 74.8% of the parents polled by tuition company, Explore Learning, said they believe their son or daughter’s learning slip during the holidays, while over half (58.9%) would like to see a shorter summer break to keep learning at a consistent standard.

The findings show that although youngsters do spend time playing computers or watching TV during their time off, they are also taking part in more academic and physical activities.

Over half (57.5%) of those questioned said that their child spends time reading, while more than one in five (22.4%) said their youngster writes stories.

Some 50.7% said their youngster plays sports, with a further 57.9% saying their child rides a bike during the break.

When it comes to going back to school, around half (49.6%) of parents said their child dreads going back into the classroom with 56.3% saying their child struggles, at least a little, with getting back into the school routine.

Early morning starts cause the most problems, the poll suggests.

Charlotte Gater, curriculum manager at Explore Learning, said: “The summer is a time for fun and relaxation but this research has shown that many children’s academic abilities drop over the break, therefore undermining all the hard work they, and their teachers, have done over the year.

“While it can seem a little daunting at first, it’s very important for parents to actively encourage their children to keep learning to avoid the negative impact it can have on their return to school in September.

“However, it doesn’t need to lead to arguments; learning can be done in a fun, effective way – through games, technology, extra tuition and interaction with their friends and the outside world – which all combine to keep their educational engagement ticking along over the break.”

The Atomic Research poll questioned 2,000 parents of children aged four to 14 in May.

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