Spark a Summer Shift

From School to Self-Discovery

Author

Carl Morris
July 08, 2025

Educational help for parents doing the world’s hardest and most important job.

No school, no learning?

One student’s trash is another’s treasure.

Does the end of term mean the end of learning?

Kids (and parents) have earned a break. That doesn’t mean summer can’t be an opportunity for experiential and curiosity-led learning.

Leaving learning to September has consequences. A systematic review with 14 million participants found that 89% of students showed academic decline during summer, but found that holidays present an opportunity to improve children's cognitive and soft skills.

There’s an opportunity because summer days are meant for new experiences and play. Harvard research shows that play-based learning strengthens executive function skills including attention, memory, focus and self-control.

What matters most is fostering a curious environment.

So how do we do this?

Project based learning for young innovators
It could be as simple as creating a family video or building an app prototype. Give it a theme. Invite them to present it to you.

Experiential learning
Encourage conversations, reflections, or journaling on trips. Travel or cultural days-out are the best stimulus for real-world learning beyond the curriculum.

You don’t need to be a teacher.

Just a guide with more questions than answers.

Reply to ask for more ideas, tools, resources, or learning prompts to try at home or abroad.

Dream It. Pitch It. Build It.

Is your child full of ideas? Maybe they’ve thought about launching an app, starting a business, or solving a problem they see in the world?

Dream It. Pitch It. Build It is a live summer experience that teaches students aged 11–18 how to turn ideas into real-world ventures. They’ll learn storytelling, teamwork, and how to pitch like a founder. The top entries will win mentorship, prizes, and even funding.

For Students:

  • 🎁 Early bird submissions get free 1:1 educator mentor calls

  • 🏆 Funding, scholarships (even 1 year free tuition!), real-world experience & mentorship

  • 🚀 Learn to build and grow at 6-week Summer Startup School

The Journey

  1. Dream It - FREE & OPEN NOW! : Students submit their idea (video, doc, or presentation) to solve a real-world problem.

  2. Pitch It (Starts July 30th): Develop the venture in our Summer Startup School & pitch to investors!

  3. Build It (Starts Sept 30th): Top pitches get funding & support to make their idea a reality!

➡️ More Details & Student Submissions here

Help for Heroes Amongst Us
Giveaways
Free Tuition, Consultancy & Workshops

To help parents and students this summer, we’ve partnered with leading tutors and education consultants to give away a free trial lesson or a consultation with a schools expert.

Also, join expert workshops to:

  • Learn how AI is being used in schools and at home

  • Try free tools that show where your child is excelling or stuck

  • Get guidelines, research & tips for balancing tech and wellbeing

Pro Parents Community

You asked, we listened.

Subscribers (£18/month) get:

  • 1 hour expert tuition 

  • Discounts for partners’ tuition, courses, career advisory, and consultancy

  • £20 Referral Credit + Double Discount on Partner Tuition

  • Free access to PULSE: AI analytics to see where your child excels or struggles

  • Your child’s personalised learning map

  • Ask Me Anything calls with experts educators

  • Summer Spark activity pack

Enjoy the summer - you’ve earned it!

Until next time,

For Educators. For Learners. For Founders.

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