If your child is falling behind at school, the most effective first step is identifying whether the struggle is a knowledge gap, a skill gap or a confidence issue because each one needs a different response. Most academic struggles in primary and high school are fixable, particularly when they're caught before they become entrenched.
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KEY ARTICLE INSIGHTS:
Most academic struggles in primary school and high school are fixable, particularly when they're caught early and the right support is put in place
The most important first step is identifying whether the struggle is a knowledge gap, a skill gap or a confidence issue because each needs a different response
Fixed mindset language needs addressing since it will lead to built-up frustration and isn't a reflection of your child's actual ability
For Year 11 and 12 students academic struggles carry more immediate consequences because internal assessments count toward the ATAR
What Are the Signs a Child Is Falling Behind in School?
Academic struggles don't always show up as failing grades.
Often the signs appear earlier and look like something else entirely:
Homework that consistently takes much longer than it should
A reluctance or flat refusal to do work in a particular subject
Statements like "I'm just bad at Maths" or "I'm not a reading person." Fixed mindset language is almost always a sign of accumulated frustration, not genuine inability
Exam or assessment results that don't reflect how a child appears to be tracking in class
A visible drop in motivation or engagement that seemed to start around a particular time or topic
When you notice these signs, the earlier you act the simpler the fix tends to be. For specific warning signs by subject, see Signs Your Child Needs Year 7 Maths Tutoring.
1️⃣ Step 1: Have a Calm Conversation First
Before contacting the school or booking extra support, start with your child. Choose a calm, low-pressure time, not during homework and not right after school when they're tired.
Ask them open questions:
"Which parts of school feel okay at the moment and which parts feel harder?"
"Is there anything in class that feels confusing?"
"What does it feel like when you sit down to do your homework?"
"Do you know how to do this on your own?"
"Is there anything you're finding confusing or tricky at the moment?"
Listen without immediately jumping to solutions. The goal of the first conversation is to understand, not to fix. Many children are acutely aware that they're struggling but don't have the language to explain where it started.
2️⃣ Step 2: Identify Whether It's a Knowledge Gap or a Skill Gap
This distinction matters for how you respond:
🧠 A knowledge gap means your child missed or didn't consolidate specific content, a topic, a concept or a unit of work. This is common after disrupted learning periods or when your child's class moves through new content faster than they're ready for. It's usually fixable with targeted review or step-by-step guidance that breaks down complex concepts into simpler steps.
✍️ A skill gap is a more foundational issue such as reading fluency, numeracy, written expression or study skills. These take longer to address but respond very well to consistent structured support over time. In most cases, your child just needs repetition and their confidence will build up over time.
Working with a tutor can often diagnose this far more quickly because your child can work through subject content directly with their tutor and your tutor can provide clear feedback on what needs to be worked on and reinforced at home and during lessons.
🫤 Not sure what type of tutoring support your child needs?
Try out a lesson with one of our qualified school tutors and they can assess exactly where your child's learning is at and what would help most.
3️⃣ Step 3: Connect with Their Teacher
Your child's teacher sees them in a very different context to home. A brief email or short meeting early in the term is one of the most effective things you can do.
Ask them:
How is my child tracking in classwork and assessments compared to what's expected for their year level?
Have you noticed any specific areas where they seem to be losing confidence or losing marks?
Is there anything you'd suggest we work on at home this term?
Most teachers appreciate parents who reach out early before an issue becomes critical. Waiting until the report card arrives means losing a full term of intervention time.
4️⃣ Step 4: Put a Simple Support Plan in Place
Once you understand the shape of the struggle, put something concrete in place before the next term begins.
It doesn't need to be elaborate:
A consistent daily study routine at home (e.g. reading, quick 10-minute revision or quiz)
Targeted review of the specific gap areas, not generic "study more" advice
A tutor who can work one-on-one with the student to fill gaps and rebuild confidence in the right subject areas
The most important thing is that the plan is specific. "Do better in Maths" is unfortunately not a plan. We recommend implementing actionable learning objectives like "Spend 20 minutes practising fractions three times per week" to help your child tick off curriculum goals that will close learning gaps and help them gain confidence in topics taught in their classroom.
For Year 11 and 12 students, academic struggles carry more immediate consequences than in junior school because internal assessments count toward the ATAR. If your child is in Year 11 or 12 and losing marks on assessments, professional tutoring support is worth considering sooner rather than later. See Why Term 4 Is the Best Time to Start Tutoring for more on timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs my child is falling behind at school?
Common signs include homework consistently taking much longer than it should, reluctance to engage with a particular subject, fixed mindset statements like "I'm just bad at this," assessment results that don't match classroom performance and a noticeable drop in motivation around a specific time or topic. The earlier these signs are addressed the easier the fix tends to be.
What should I do if my child is struggling academically?
Start with a calm conversation to understand where the struggle is coming from. Then contact their teacher to check whether it matches what they're seeing in class. Identify whether it's a knowledge gap, a skill gap or a confidence issue and put a specific targeted plan in place. Avoid vague encouragement like "try harder" and instead focus on concrete, frequent practice in the specific areas that need work.
How do I help my child who is behind in school?
Be specific about what they're behind in rather than treating it as a general problem. Work with their teacher to understand exactly which skills or topics need attention. Put a consistent daily study routine in place at home and consider targeted tutoring support if the gap is significant or has been building for a while. The goal is to close the specific gap, not to overhaul your child's entire approach to school.
What is the difference between a knowledge gap and a skill gap?
A knowledge gap means your child missed or didn't consolidate specific content, such as a particular topic or unit. It's usually fixable with targeted review of that content. A skill gap is more foundational, covering things like reading fluency, numeracy or written expression, and takes longer to address but responds well to consistent structured support. Identifying which one your child has is the first step to putting the right support in place.
When is it time to get a tutor for my child?
When a gap is too significant for home practice alone, when your child has lost confidence in a subject and resists your help at home, or when the gap is affecting multiple subjects simultaneously. A free first lesson is a low-pressure way to assess whether tutoring is the right fit. For more on timing, see Why Term 4 Is the Best Time to Start Tutoring.
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