The biggest learning gaps I see every September…and how tuition helps close them

As a tutor, I see the same patterns every year. September arrives, children head back to school and some of them start to wobble.

Even those who were doing well before the holidays can come back feeling unsure or stuck. As a former teacher, I used to see exactly the same thing in the classroom.

These early term struggles are not a cause for panic; they are a completely normal response to a long break. Children are out of routine, out of practice and still settling into the rhythm of a new year. However, for some, those small gaps can quickly grow if they do not get the support they need.

Children need time and space to catch up after their summer break

Here are the three most common gaps I see and how I gently help children close them in tuition.

🧠 Times tables and number fluency

After six weeks away from structured maths, many children forget their number facts. They slow down, lose confidence and start second guessing themselves. You might see this in written methods, mental maths or word problems that suddenly seem harder than before.

As a teacher, this always showed up early in the term. Even children who had been confident before the break needed time to get their fluency back.

In tuition, we treat fluency like fitness. I use quick recall games, patterns and repeated practice in context so it never feels boring or forced. Once children feel confident again with the basics, everything else in maths becomes much smoother.

📖 Reading comprehension

Children often read for fun over the summer, which is brilliant, but that is not the same as focused comprehension. When asked to find evidence or explain vocabulary in context, many children rush, skim or struggle to explain their thinking.

In the classroom, this would often show up in guided reading sessions and assessments. Children who were perfectly capable would suddenly look unsure when asked to slow down and dig into a text.

In tuition, I break it down. We explore rich, short texts together and practise answering questions out loud before writing anything down. We talk about character, language, structure and meaning. I teach them to think like a detective and find clues without pressure. With time, they grow in confidence and learn to enjoy the challenge.

✍️ Writing stamina and structure

This is a big one. Most children are not writing paragraphs over the summer, so when they are suddenly asked to plan and produce a full piece of writing in school, they feel overwhelmed.

As a teacher, I would see a lot of rushed writing, muddled ideas and reluctance to edit or improve. It was rarely about ability. It was usually about stamina and confidence.

In tuition, we build writing muscles slowly. I show children how to plan clearly, build their ideas and write in manageable steps. We look at good models, practise improving sentences and explore ways to add detail. For children who freeze up or rush to finish, this slower pace makes a big difference.

What parents can do

If you are noticing any of these signs, your child is not alone. These are some of the most common and fixable issues children face in the early weeks of the school year.

Tuition gives them space to catch up without stress. It is calm, consistent and focused on exactly what they need, whether that is a short boost or longer term support.