Easy ideas for schools to tackle this year's summer gap
As the school year comes to a close, educators face the perennial challenge of the "summer gap" – the learning loss that students often experience during the long break. At The Access Group, we believe in providing resources and strategies to help schools, parents, and students tackle this issue head-on. Below, we offer tailored solutions for primary, secondary, and GCSE students to ensure a smooth transition into the next academic year.
Promote Subtitles for Learning
An effective strategy to combat the summer gap for younger students is the use of subtitles. Subtitles can significantly enhance reading skills, comprehension, and language acquisition. We recommend schools encourage parents to integrate subtitled content into their children's summer activities.
Given that over 56% of children between 8-18 don’t enjoy reading in their free time, and almost one in five (18.6%) children in England between the ages of five and eight do not have access to books at home, encouraging reading for six weeks can be challenging for parents. Balancing work commitments and childcare further complicates this issue.
However, children in the UK spend an average of 3 hours and 16 minutes watching television every day, a number likely to increase during the summer break. Parents often feel guilty about this screen time, but turning on subtitles can significantly mitigate the 'summer slide.'
Research indicates that using subtitles throughout the year exposes children to a volume of words equivalent to reading the entire Harry Potter series, the Narnia saga, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Roald Dahl’s complete works combined.
This is the core message of the TOTS (Turn on the Subtitles) campaign, which has been actively promoted since the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported by celebrities like Jack Black, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, and Lenny Henry, as well as leading academics and influencers, the campaign has already helped thousands of children improve their literacy worldwide.
Action: Visit www.theaccessgroup.com/tots to download our comprehensive school pack. This resource is designed to help schools promote the benefits of subtitles to parents before the end of term. By providing this information, schools can empower parents to support their children's learning in a fun and engaging way over the summer.
For GCSE Students: Join the 2024 Olympic Theme SummerPod from Access GCSEPod
For students preparing for their GCSEs, maintaining academic momentum over the summer is crucial. We are excited to introduce the 2024 Olympic theme SummerPod, a dynamic program designed to keep students engaged and ahead in their studies.
Access GCSEPod is an award-winning digital platform that offers high-quality, curriculum-specific content for GCSE subjects. It provides students with access to over 6,000 audio-visual podcasts, tailored to their specific exam boards. These short, engaging videos cover key concepts and topics, making learning accessible and enjoyable.
Benefits of Access GCSEPod:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Access GCSEPod covers all major subjects and exam boards, ensuring students can find resources for all their courses.
- Engaging Content: The audio-visual format helps retain students' attention and makes complex topics easier to understand.
- Flexibility: Students can learn at their own pace, revisiting difficult topics and consolidating their knowledge as needed.
- Exam Preparation: With exam-style questions and detailed explanations, Access GCSEPod helps students practice and prepare effectively for their exams.
We encourage schools to promote the SummerPod program to their GCSE students as an essential tool for summer learning. By engaging with the Olympic-themed content, students can not only stay academically active but also draw inspiration from the spirit of the games, fostering a sense of achievement and motivation.
Action: Schools can provide information about the SummerPod program through newsletters, emails, and end-of-term assemblies. Highlight the benefits of staying academically engaged over the summer and encourage students to make use of this valuable resource.
Conclusion
Addressing the summer gap requires a proactive approach and the right resources. Whether through the integration of subtitles for younger students or the engaging content of Access GCSEPod for older students, Access Group is committed to supporting schools in this effort. By leveraging these tools, schools can help students retain their learning, stay motivated, and prepare for a successful academic year ahead.
For more information and to access our resources, please visit: Summerpod - GCSEPod
Together, we can bridge the summer gap and ensure every student is set up for success next academic year.
