How school–parent partnerships can combat the summer slide.
- Euan
- Jul 3
- 6 min read
By September, many of us have seen it: the books and workbooks shelved for summer, only to find pupils struggling to recall the year’s learning after the break. This is the notorious summer slide. Research is clear that significant ground can be lost. In fact, one US study found children lost on average 39% of their year’s learning gains over summer. In simpler terms, the typical student might regress by about a month of learning (even two months in maths) if not kept intellectually active. Teachers know this well: a recent report noted around 90% of teachers spend the first few weeks of term re-teaching old material because of summer losses. The effect is most acute for disadvantaged pupils: with fewer books or programmes over the holidays, many come back “unprepared and behind their classmates”.
Why families matter.
The good news is strong school-parent partnerships can blunt this slide. Studies consistently show that parents and carers are a powerful resource. For example, UK researchers note that parents who actively engage children in learning activities over summer can help prevent regression. Even simple habits, such as reading together, playing maths games or visiting a local museum can make a real difference. The Education Endowment Foundation toolkit confirms that meaningful parental engagement can boost a child’s learning by about four months’ progress on average. Crucially, this benefit applies “regardless of age or socio-economic status”, so working with families is worthwhile from Reception through to the end of secondary school.
When parents and teachers truly team up, the story changes. For instance, a UK study found that summer reading schemes can lift learning, especially for children from struggling backgrounds. One US school district gave every family six books over summer – framing reading as “a family endeavour” – and saw parents reading alongside older siblings and young children together. Similarly, a Boston-based trial sent parents weekly text tips to prompt summer reading. The result: Year 3-4 pupils (aged 7-9) whose parents got texts made significantly better gains in comprehension than those without. In short, even low-cost strategies that help parents involve themselves can keep learning rolling when school is out.
The evidence leaves little doubt: when families maintain a link to learning over the break, children lose far less. Engaged parents reinforce skills at home, motivate children to read or study, and often pass on the message that school matters year-round. This support is especially important as children grow up. The EEF notes there’s less research in secondary settings, but stresses that we still must find ways to keep parents in the loop as teens get older. After all, older students may resist study, but a parent’s encouragement or oversight can still help them pick up a book or tackle an online course. And if parents aren’t sure how to help with tricky homework (for example), schools can still support by giving families practical tips or fun projects to do together, rather than expecting every parent to reteach algebra at home.
Facing the reality in schools
Of course, we know it isn’t easy. Teachers and leaders are already stretched for time and budget, so suddenly turning every family into a tutor over summer isn’t realistic. Many schools still don’t have a clear parent-engagement plan – one survey found 72% of English schools had no written policy for family engagement, even though 80% agreed it was every staff member’s job. Sometimes communication is one-way, or only reaches those who are easiest to contact. But research urges us to shift perspective: rather than blaming families as “hard to reach,” we should ask how we might be excluding them. As &Parents founder, Euan MacLean, puts it, calling parents ‘hard-to-reach’ often blames them unfairly. The real question is whether we’ve made school welcoming and accessible.
Many parents are incredibly committed but face obstacles. Some work unsocial hours or have childcare needs, others may have language barriers or anxiety from past experiences. In fact, about 40% of parents who miss school events say it’s because they feel unwelcome. If communication only comes in one language, or meeting nights clash with a second job, families simply stay away, and the slide deepens. That’s why successful schools try multiple channels (calls, apps, flexible meetings), meet families in neutral community spaces, or even send staff out to playgrounds to chat informally. These approaches build trust: when parents feel the school really listens, they’re far likelier to encourage learning at home and in the community.
Importantly, leadership support makes a huge difference. Research commissioned by the UK’s EEF found that schools should build parent engagement into their improvement plans, and even train staff in how to communicate and partner with families better. A school that plans ahead can, for example, alert parents to an upcoming summer reading challenge, recommend local library activities, or explain simple ways to keep children’s minds active. The very act of planning shows parents that the school values them as partners, not just as people to inform. Consistency matters too: families who get regular, supportive updates (rather than one summer newsletter tucked in a bag) tend to feel more involved and motivated.
What can you do this (summer) holiday?
As we head toward the holidays, it’s worth reflecting on our own practices. How does your school currently engage families about summer learning? Could you, for instance, send a short “summer reading list” with easy book suggestions for each age, or highlight a free summer project? Might you partner with the local library to remind parents about story-time or national reading challenges? Some teachers ask students to keep a simple learning diary or share a fun fact each week – small tasks that give parents an opening to chat about school with their children.
Consider also talking with colleagues: what’s worked elsewhere? Perhaps a nearby school held a summer fair and invited families, or one headteacher sent personalised postcards celebrating students’ progress and encouraging families to keep going. If you’ve tried something new – even an informal idea like a moderated class online group where students post exciting summer finds – share it with your team. In the &Parents community we know there are dozens of creative, low-cost ideas out there. Your experience could spark a great idea for someone else, and vice versa.
Above all, approach the break as an opportunity to strengthen relationships. Encourage parents to let their children tell you about the most interesting thing they learned during summer. This can help to build a bridge back into learning on day one. Show families that you’re thinking of them: maybe send a friendly note at the start of summer and one at the end, asking about their plans and reminding them you care about the student’s progress. (These can be scheduled to go out before the holiday period begins, remember!) Every bit of connection helps make the summer slide smaller.
Get involved.
The tools and ideas to tackle summer learning loss are out there, and we all have a role to play. Now is a great time to chat with your colleagues and leadership: look at your plans for July and August and ask how you can signal to families that learning continues even when school is off. You might have already departed for the break, but if you’re still in term-time… Could you briefly cover summer engagement in your next staff meeting? Maybe schedule a meeting with your SLT about inviting parent input on summer projects.
Also, reach out to parents themselves: give them a voice in the conversation. A simple question like “What could help [Name of young person] enjoy learning at home this summer?” shows you care and may surface ideas you hadn’t thought of. You might be surprised at how many practical tips parents already use, and can share, for keeping young people curious during holidays.
Let’s keep the summer slide from being a solo problem for teachers to fix. By listening to and working with families, we all help students start September ready to learn. How will you involve parents and the wider school community this summer? The answer could make all the difference for your students.
"How school–parent partnerships can combat the summer slide."
&Parents is a social enterprise committed to transforming the way schools
and partner with parents.
&Parents encourages schools around the world to transform parent-school collaboration.