The summer holidays are a well-earned break from school. They are also a golden opportunity to brush up on essential academic skills before September rolls around. Whether your child is advancing to KS2, KS3, GCSEs or A-Levels, practicing the right skills daily can ease the transition. This practice also builds confidence.
At Apollo Scholars, we have worked with a broad range of students. Here is our tried and tested back-to-school skills checklist to help your child hit the ground running.
In this blog, you will also find a downloadable work booklet designed to support your child’s learning journey. This resource is packed with structured schedules, skill checklists, daily planners and goal-setting tools. It makes it easy to create a balanced and effective study routine at home.
✍️ 1. Writing Skills: Keep the Pen Moving
Writing is one of the first academic muscles to weaken over summer. It is not just about punctuation; it is about structuring thoughts, building stamina and writing with clarity.
What to focus on:
- Handwriting practice (especially for KS2 and KS3)
- Short daily writing prompts (stories, letters, diary entries)
- Essay planning and paragraph structure (KS3 and above)
- Timed writing to improve fluency under exam conditions (GCSE & A-Level)
Simple Activities:
- Keep a summer journal
- Write postcards or emails to friends/family
- Use creative writing prompts
- Rewrite a scene from a book they love with a different ending
Tip: Do not worry about perfection. Focus on consistent writing and editing.
📖 2. Reading Comprehension: Think Beyond the Words
Reading over summer does not have to be boring. In fact, it can boost vocabulary. It enhances critical thinking and improves inference skills. These are all essential for SATs, GCSEs and A-Levels.
What to focus on:
- Understanding tone, intent and point of view
- Answering short comprehension questions
- Summarising paragraphs or chapters
- Making predictions or analysing characters
Simple Activities:
- Read a chapter a day and discuss it together
- Use comprehension question packs from past papers
- Try paired reading (parent reads one page, child reads the next)
- Listen to audiobooks and pause for discussion
Recommended tools: Your local library’s summer reading challenge.
➗ 3. Mental Maths: Keep It Snappy and Sharp
Mental maths tends to slip most during the summer, especially for KS2 and KS3 students. Building back number fluency is crucial before term starts, especially for students moving up a key stage.
What to focus on:
- Times tables and number bonds (KS2)
- Mental arithmetic: addition, subtraction, percentages (KS2 & KS3)
- Speed and accuracy under pressure
- Basic algebra and problem-solving (GCSE)
Simple Activities:
- Use flashcards or apps for daily drills
- Challenge them to calculate change at the shops or estimate prices
- Try one or two short GCSE-style questions per day
Tip: Keep sessions short. 10–15 minutes of focused, fast maths is better than long worksheets.
📚 4. Subject-Specific Review: Build a Bridge to Next Term
If your child struggled with a subject last year, now is the time to revisit weak areas. Do not wait for them to resurface under pressure.
Subject-Specific Focus:
- English: Revise key texts, review literary techniques, practice PEEL paragraphs
- Maths: Review past topics and understand key formulas
- Science: Revisit core concepts using visual aids or YouTube explainer videos
- Humanities: Read around topics. Watch history documentaries, listen to podcasts, or read articles
KS4 & KS5 students can also start light revision of upcoming units to reduce pressure later on.
🧠 5. Study Skills & Organisation: Set Up for Success
A new school year is a great time to build independent study habits, especially for KS3 and above. Many students lose marks not because they do not know the material, but because they are not organised or exam-ready.
Skills to build:
- How to take effective notes
- How to use a revision timetable
- Time management and breaking tasks into steps
- Using folders and digital tools to organise work
Summer Challenge:
Have your child set three simple academic goals for the term ahead. Write them down and revisit them in September to see progress.
⏰ 6. Routine Reset: Start the Clock
The shift from summer holiday mode to school routine can be jarring. Start adjusting sleep and study habits gradually in the final two weeks of August.
Tips for a smoother transition:
- Move bedtime and wake-up time earlier in small steps
- Introduce light academic tasks at the time they would usually be in school
- Plan out weekday routines with dedicated “learning” time blocks
- Reduce screen time before bed to improve sleep quality
A predictable daily rhythm makes the first week of school far less stressful.
✅ Final Word: Little and Often Wins the Race
Just 30–60 minutes a day, spread across different skills, can have a major impact. Use our checklist as a guide. Do not see it as a to-do list. Customise it based on your child’s age, ability and interests.
🎓 Need Support? We are here to help.
At Apollo Scholars, we offer tailored support across a wide range of subjects and key stages. We offer 1:1 online and in-person tutoring and online group sessions that are engaging, flexible and results-driven.
👉 Contact us today to find out how we can help your child prepare with confidence.
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