London, UK— 13 August 2025 — In the age of social media, AI, and increasing societal pressures, how can parents prepare their children for the upcoming school year? That’s the question online tutoring platform Superprof has asked 800 English, Maths and Psychology experts in the UK to create the ultimate back-to-school guide.
Traditionally, the primary concern for parents would be making sure their children have new stationery or the latest textbooks. But today’s parents have to consider so much more; the impact of AI and increasing dependency on technology for learning, higher academic pressures, and a cost-of-living crisis have all contributed to intensified pressures for students today. When you consider that 50% of secondary schools don’t give parents enough information about supporting their child’s learning at home, concerns amongst parents are understandably growing.
With a third of parents reporting that they don’t spend as much time as they would like to help with their child’s schoolwork, Superprof has enlisted its tutors to provide insights on how to prepare for the new academic year to help parents. This includes top tips for parents on how to protect their child’s wellbeing, what to do if they are underachieving, and how to best prepare for a challenging year like GCSEs or A-Levels.
Consistency is key
When it comes to students excelling, practice is crucial to build a solid foundation in subjects like maths and English. This should be personalised to the student; if you can link it to their passions, even better. It is then important to reflect on what works and what doesn’t in a positive and supportive environment. With 1.5 million children spending more time on their phones than they do at school on a typical weekday, finding a structure that engages and motivates students is the key to success.
“I always tell students to practice regularly rather than cramming, ask questions whenever they’re unsure, break complex problems into smaller steps, stay curious and try to relate the subject to real-life situations. Don’t fear mistakes—they’re a valuable part of learning.” — Kadambari Borhade, Maths and Science Tutor at Superprof
Be proactive rather than reactive
Homework causes arguments for around 4 million parents and children across the UK. To avoid uncomfortable and unproductive conversations, parents should be proactive about supporting their children and not wait until the grades start dropping. This should be done in a steady and positive environment, encouraging them to think independently, which will instill a sense of self-belief. This will allow your child to become more confident and more resilient when facing difficult challenges.
This will help create a consistent routine and help to break bad habits before they begin. For example, more than a third of parents think that screen time is causing their children to lose sleep, which can be detrimental to their mental health and performance at school.
“Some parents focus heavily on results or discipline, while overlooking the importance of nurturing curiosity, resilience, and confidence in the subject.” — Shubham Singh, English Tutor at Superprof
“Consistent routines — like set times for study, sleep, and screen use — help students stay organised and reduce stress.” — Aditya Kaurav, Maths and Physics Tutor at Superprof
How to support an underachieving child
Parents should help a child who is underachieving with their mental health in mind. More than 5 million children have experienced mental health issues over the last year, and 25% of children experiencing poor mental health have missed school. This shows that it should be a delicate approach, otherwise parents could accidentally make things worse. Sometimes it can be something as simple as re-evaluating their learning methods, finding a better path together, and providing that continuous support and gentle encouragement. It is also important to be realistic about academic expectations and not put too much pressure on them.
“Relaxed encouragement and patient listening. Ensuring that the young person feels valued, irrespective of academic results, and to remember young people have considerably greater pressures on them today than their parents experienced.” — Ron Roberts, Psychology tutor at Superprof
“They need to understand that the school system is more than likely failing their child.” — Joe Bennett, Maths and Science Tutor at Superprof
Psychologists on how to prepare for GCSEs and A-levels
Firstly, it is important to let children enjoy their summer holidays and encourage them to maintain their hobbies and interests throughout the year. Currently, 70% of teenagers don’t participate in after-school activities, which can stunt the learning of new skills and social interactions. Then, it is important to proactively plan a balanced revision plan, one that is realistic and maintainable throughout the year.
“I would suggest a balanced revision plan/schedule. They could collaboratively create a realistic revision plan with breaks and leisure time. Also, parents should continue to provide emotional support. They can offer encouragement, not pressure their child.” — Alisdair Taylor, Psychology tutor at Superprof
“They [parents] should make sure their children have good sleep hygiene, nutrition and exercise as these factors will support their mental health and overall wellbeing during this time. As I said above, providing strong emotional support is fundamental too. They should talk openly with their child and listen to any fears or concerns.” — Alisdair Taylor, Psychology Tutor at Superprof
Preparing for life after school
Some experts revealed that “unfortunately” they have witnessed cases where parents want their child to follow a certain career path. However, it is important that parents embrace an open mind when it comes to their child’s future.
“Sometimes parents have a career path in mind for their children. But most parents I have spoken to seem happy with the path their child is looking to take. Parents can assist their children in thinking of backup ideas/plans” — Alisdair Taylor, Psychology Tutor at Superprof
