The pandemic has had a seismic impact on the learning structure of the nation’s children – from access to educational resources to the way teens are assessed. Yet despite these obstacles, one of the most valuable lessons parents and children have learned throughout the pandemic is the blatant need for bespoke learning. Lockdown and subsequent homeschooling gave parents a unique opportunity to really evaluate how their child learns best, which often varies for each individual.

In the wake of the pandemic, tutoring and additional educational support has become more prevalent and sought after than ever before. New research from leading EdTech platform MyTutor reveals that 68% of the nation agree their child benefits from one-to-one learning environments alongside classroom learning, shedding light on how parents and children across the nation have realised that tutoring not only helps get fill in the gaps and get back on track with their studies, but also helps to consolidate classroom learning.

Key statistics:

31% are unaware of the specifics that promote or inhibit their child’s learning, such as a lack of ability to learn maths in a group, or challenges surrounding literacy

68% agree that their child benefits from one-to-one learning environments, alongside the classroom experience

48% of Brits used to think tutoring was unnecessary but since the pandemic they now think it’s really valuable

44% of parents will continue to invest in online tutoring for their children post-pandemic

Now, parents are clearly taking a more active role in their child’s learning, particularly when it comes to how learning is structured – an outcome that if not created by the pandemic, has been accelerated by it. With 48% of Brits having recognised the value of tutoring in the wake of the pandemic, it is clear that parents and children alike are more aware of the resources available to them, which have proven indispensable over the past year.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, lots of teens will be taking the time to get ready for the next academic year, and repair any damage the pandemic has done to their learning. Co-founder of MyTutor, Bertie Hubbard, has shared 3 of his tips for parents and their teens during the summer term:

1. Locate learning gaps – and fill them in
While your child is still going into school each day, now is a great time for them to chat with their teachers about where they are in each subject. Working out where their strong points and weaker points are with them at the end of class, or having a look through the syllabus for each course at home with you or a tutor is the first step to making a catch-up plan. Whether they’re halfway through their GCSEs or A Levels, or stepping up to A Levels after the summer, going back over previous course material for subjects they’re taking next year is the best way to prepare for the challenges ahead.

2. Explore career options
Aside from curriculum learning, if your child is in their last few years of school, a great way to use any free time they’ve found themselves with is to research career options. It’s a great idea before the end of term for your teen to have a chat with their school careers advisor about their interests and plans. This is also a great time for your teen to reach out to any companies who might offer them work experience or a summer job – there’s nothing to lose in asking, and – as people say – if they don’t ask they won’t get.

3. Research their next steps
Whatever stage of school your child is at, taking time to research, have a think and talk to a few people about what they could do when they finish school is really valuable for them. If they’re interested in applying for university or college, they could have a look online and sign-up for some virtual open days – or even real ones if they’re easy to travel to.

Bertie Hubbard, co-founder of EdTech platform MyTutor, discusses the impact the pandemic has had on the mental wellbeing of young people across the nation:

“The last twelve months have been unbelievably tough year on teens and parents alike with months out of school, exam cancellations, not seeing friends and worrying about Covid-19. As schools open again, catching up on lost learning and prepping for assessed work this term will bring another set of challenges for teens.

They’re in more need than ever for some support and reassurance with their studies, and that’s exactly what our tutors offer. Our tutors are all from UK universities, and because they’re just a few years older they can easily relate to what teens are going through. With their dedicated one-to-one support, teens get some much-needed reassurance and come out with a stronger self-belief – 88% say that lessons made them feel more confident.

Rather than replacing teachers with robots, the biggest power of EdTech lies in enhancing person-to-person learning. At MyTutor, we provide online tuition that raises kids’ grades, boosts confidence and helps them fulfil their potential in life. Because it’s online, kids get access to amazing tutors from across the country, rather than whoever’s nearby. As there’s no travel for the student or the tutors, it also saves time and money travelling – reducing the cost and stress involved for parents.”