Six years on from the first COVID-19 lockdowns, and five years since most pupils returned to classrooms, the disruption to children’s learning has not simply faded into the background. For many schools and families, the legacy of the pandemic is still playing out daily – in classrooms, at home and in children’s confidence.

Recent research highlights the scale of the challenge. More than half of education professionals say COVID-19 continues to have a major impact on pupil achievement, with a significant proportion describing that impact as ‘major’1. While classrooms may look settled again, learning recovery remains uneven, complex and ongoing.

For school leaders and teachers, the challenge has shifted from short-term catch-up to long-term sustainability – supporting pupils who needs now vary widely depending on their pandemic experience. For parents, it often shows up as a sense that something is still ‘not quite right,’ even years after the formal disruption has ended.

Here, Becky Ward, education specialist at global tutoring company Tutor Doctor, reflects on what schools and families are still seeing – and why personalised, one-to-one support remains a crucial part of helping children move forward.

Learning gaps that haven’t disappeared

Across the UK, many children continue to show gaps in core skills such as reading fluency, comprehension and number confidence. While these challenges existed before COVID, prolonged disruption intensified them – particularly for pupils with fewer resources or limited support at home during lockdowns.

Five years on, teachers report that missed foundations are still causing some pupils to struggle. Parents often notice reluctance to read aloud, frustration with homework, avoidance of tests or a growing belief that their child is ‘behind’ their peers.

Crucially, these gaps are not only academic. Confidence has taken a hit too, often presenting subtly through reduced classroom participation, anxiety around assessments or a reluctance to ask for help.

What the pandemic revealed about how children learn

One unexpected outcome of remote learning was the insight it gave parents into their child’s learning styles. For many families, it was the first time they could clearly see how their child engages with work, copes with instructions or responds to feedback.

Some pupils adapted well to learning at home, while others struggled without structure, peer interaction or consistent teacher input. This period highlighted a reality that still resonates today: classroom learning, while essential, cannot meet every child’s individual needs on its own.

Why schools can’t close every gap alone

Schools and teachers have worked tirelessly to support students post-pandemic, but classrooms were already under pressure long before COVID. Large class sizes, limited time and competing priorities mean sustained one-to-one support is not always possible within school settings.

As pupils returned with vastly different learning experiences, teachers were tasked with addressing an unprecedented range of needs. As a result, schools have increasingly had to prioritise targeted intervention, directing support where it can have the greatest impact.

Many families, recognising these pressures, have become more proactive. Rather than waiting for concerns to escalate, parents are increasingly seeking support to prevent small gaps becoming long-term barriers.

The role of one-to-one support

Personalised tutoring remains one of the most effective ways to rebuild both academic skills and confidence. At Tutor Doctor, pupils begin with an individual assessment to identify strengths and learning gaps, with sessions tailored at their pace, personality and learning style.

This approach allows children to re-engage with learning in a calm, supportive environment, where they can ask questions freely, make mistakes without embarrassment and rebuild self-belief step by step.

Consistency is key. Regular one-to-one support helps students regain a sense of control over their learning, turning anxiety into confidence and hesitation into motivation.

Supporting learning beyond the classroom

Small, consistent actions at home also play an important role. Short, focused homework sessions, shared reading, predictable routines and breaking tasks into manageable steps can all reduce anxiety and build resilience.

Acting early when something feels ‘off’ is particularly important. Addressing challenges sooner rather than later can prevent frustration, disengagement and confidence loss from becoming entrenched.

Looking ahead

While the pandemic may feel distant in everyday life, its educational impact is still being felt across schools and households nationwide. However, the last five years have also provided valuable insights into how children learn – and what they need to thrive.

Personalised support, early interventions and a renewed focus on confidence are now central to helping pupils move forward. One-to-one tutoring continues to play a vital role in closing learning gaps, rebuilding momentum and helping children feel capable again.