Creative Ideas to Support Summer Learning for Secondary Aged Students
Summer holidays provide a well-earned break for secondary-aged students, but a complete pause in learning can make the return to school in September feel overwhelming. As the summer holidays approach, many parents find themselves with more time to explore enriching, creative learning opportunities with their children. At Keystone, we believe that these moments are most impactful when they are led by your child's own interests - whether it is a favourite artist, animal, historical era, or a country they are keen to explore.
Here are our top recommendations for secondary summer learning:
Small Amounts of Revision
If your child is entering Year 11 or Year 13, small amounts of revision over the holidays can be extremely beneficial. We recommend a “little and often” approach: even 15-20 minutes a few times a week can help consolidate knowledge and reduce anxiety in the autumn.
Students can create mind maps, flashcards, or summaries for core topics to keep information fresh while still enjoying a restful break.
Read our GCSE Revision Techniques & Skills Guide
Read our A Level Revision Techniques & Skills Guide
Super Curricular Exploration
Summer is the perfect time for students to explore subjects they love beyond the curriculum. Super curricular activities deepen understanding, build passion, and help students stand out in university applications.
Encourage your child to:
- Read books and articles on their favourite subjects
- Watch documentaries and TED Talks
- Listen to subject-specific podcasts
- Enter essay or creative competitions
We’ve created subject-specific super curricular guides for deeper exploration:
These activities not only enhance learning but can also provide valuable material for UCAS personal statements and university interviews.
Volunteer or Do Work Experience
A few days of volunteering or work shadowing can be invaluable for secondary students. It helps them:
- Reflect on career interests
- Gain insight into working environments
- Build confidence and responsibility
- Strengthen future university and job applications
Work experience can also provide examples for personal statements, helping students articulate their interests and commitment clearly.
Get Ahead on School Reading
Starting next year’s set texts early can ease pressure in the autumn and boost comprehension. If your child is studying History, for example, think about some of the key events and timelines and do some background reading or watch related videos on YouTube.
Explore Online Courses or Summer Schools
Online courses and summer schools are excellent ways to learn new skills and meet like-minded peers. Whether your child is interested in coding, creative writing, or science, there are a range of short courses available both online and in person.
We’ve compiled a list of recommended summer schools and online courses to help your child find something that aligns with their interests and academic goals. View our Summer Schools list.
Summer Tutoring for Secondary Students
A tutor can help your child:
- Consolidate topics from the past year
- Build confidence in challenging subjects
- Prepare for GCSEs, A Levels, or university admissions
- Explore interests in greater depth through bespoke guidance and super curricular recommendations
At Keystone, we believe that summer learning should be balanced, purposeful, and enjoyable. Small amounts of revision, super curricular exploration, volunteering, and independent study can help your child enter the new school year with confidence and momentum.
If you would like to discuss summer tutoring for your child or need advice on super curricular activities, please get in touch.
Call us on +44 (0)207 602 5310 or complete our online form to request a tutor over the summer holidays.