Why Many UK Secondary School Students Struggle – And How to Turn It Around
By Boluwaji Ojajuni
Two years ago, a mother came to me in tears. Her son, David, had always been bright in primary school, but now in Year 10, his grades had dropped badly.
She said to me:
“Sir, I don’t understand. My boy is intelligent. He understands in class, but when results come out, it’s failure after failure. What is happening to him?”
David’s story is not unique. I have seen it time and time again. The truth is, most students are not lazy or dull—they are simply missing the right habits, techniques, and support to succeed.
Sadly, many parents only realise too late that their children are struggling. They think paying school fees and ensuring homework is done is enough. But academic success is a partnership between parents, teachers, mentors, and students.
That’s why I wrote this article—to uncover the 10 main reasons why students struggle in secondary school and how you, as a parent or teacher, can help change the story.
1. Wrong Circle of Friends
In secondary school, friendships shape futures. If your child spends more time with unserious friends, it will eventually show in their performance. A struggling student who surrounds themselves with focused achievers often begins to rise.
👉 The company your child keeps is as important as the grades they get.
2. Negative Attitude Towards Learning
A bad attitude is like a flat tyre—you can’t move forward until you change it. If a student keeps saying, “Maths is too hard” or “I’ll never pass science,” they’re programming themselves for failure.
The right mindset is the foundation of academic success.
3. Poor Reading and Revision Culture
Many students open their books but end up scrolling on their phones or daydreaming. Reading is different from revision. Revision means organising knowledge, reviewing systematically, and preparing strategically. Without it, exams feel like a storm.
4. No Personal Timetable
Structure produces success, not feelings. Students who study only “when they feel like it” often fall behind. A personal timetable gives direction and discipline—like an academic GPS guiding the child to their goals.
5. Lack of Retention Techniques
It’s common to hear: “I understood in class, but during the test, I forgot everything.” That’s not laziness—it’s a retention problem. Without learning memory techniques, students struggle to recall knowledge under pressure.
6. Weak Study Habits
Studying is both a skill and a science. Many students spend hours with their books but gain very little. Without focus, breaks, and a proven study method, the effort rarely matches the outcome.
7. Sitting Position in Class
This may surprise you, but where a child sits matters. Struggling learners should sit at the front—less distraction, more focus, and higher engagement. Sitting at the back often leads to missed lessons, side talks, or even sleeping in class.
8. Limited Parental Support
Some parents think their role ends after paying school fees. But children need more—interest, encouragement, and accountability. Do you check your child’s notes? Do you know their teachers by name? Success is multiplied when parents and teachers partner.
9. Unstable Home Environment
A chaotic home breeds a distracted learner. Constant quarrels, noise, or neglect at home often show in academic results. A peaceful home creates a settled mind, and a settled mind learns better.
10. Lack of Motivation & Encouragement
When students feel unseen or unappreciated, they lose drive. Encouragement, recognition, and consistent mentoring can rekindle their motivation to learn and achieve.
So, What’s the Way Forward?
If your child is struggling, it’s not the end of the road. With the right strategies, accountability, and mentorship, every student can improve and excel.
That’s exactly what I do through my Academic Mentorship Programme for UK students, where I focus on:
✅ Proven retention and memory techniques
✅ Effective study and revision habits
✅ Building strong reading culture
✅ Motivation and mindset coaching
✅ Parent–teacher partnership strategies
💡 Dear Parent/Teacher, Here’s My Advice
Don’t wait until the GCSE or A-Level results to discover your child is struggling. By then, it may be too late to undo the damage. Take action now.
📞 Call/WhatsApp me today on +44 [Insert Your UK Contact or Online Tutoring Number] to enrol your child in my mentorship programme. Together, we will build the right foundation for their success.
Final Word
Every child is gifted, but they need the right guidance to shine. Let’s stop labelling children as “lazy” or “weak.” Instead, let’s equip them with the tools, structure, and encouragement they need.
Let’s raise a generation of confident, disciplined, and successful learners.
✍️ To God Be the Glory.
— Boluwaji Ojajuni
