The summer holidays, a glorious six-week stretch of late mornings, ice creams, and questionable screen time, are drawing to a close. As the scent of autumn (and parental relief) fills the air, it’s time to tackle the annual back-to-school scramble.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the mountain of things to buy, label, and organise? Don’t worry. Getting everything ready doesn’t have to be a last-minute panic. A bit of planning can turn chaos into a calm, organised start to the new term.
This guide offers a complete back-to-school checklist for every age group, from the little ones starting reception to the too-cool-for-school teens heading into their GCSE years. We’ll help you tick off every item, ensuring your child is ready for their first day and beyond.
School Uniform and Clothing
Getting the uniform right is often the biggest hurdle. Between growth spurts and mysteriously disappearing jumpers, it’s a constant battle.
For Primary School Children (Ages 4-11)
- School Uniform: Check the school’s specific requirements. You’ll likely need trousers, skirts, or pinafores, along with polo shirts or button-down shirts.
- PE Kit: This usually includes shorts, a T-shirt in the house colour, and plimsolls or trainers.
- School Jumper or Cardigan: Always buy at least two. One will inevitably be left on the school bus or used as a goalpost.
- Socks and Tights: Stock up. The sock monster is real, and it’s hungriest during term time.
- Shoes: A sturdy, comfortable pair of black school shoes is a must. Make sure they fit well, as your child will spend a lot of time in them.
- Waterproof Coat: The British weather is nothing if not unpredictable. A good coat will see them through rainy playtimes.
- Name Labels: Label everything. And we mean everything. Iron-on, stick-on, or sew-in – pick your weapon of choice and get tagging.
For Secondary School Students (Ages 11-16)
- School Uniform: Similar to primary school but often with the addition of a blazer and tie. Check the school’s dress code carefully; rules for teenagers can be surprisingly specific.
- PE Kit: This might be more specialised, with different kits for rugby, hockey, or netball.
- Trainers: They’ll likely need one pair for indoor PE and another, more robust pair for outdoor sports.
- School Bag: A backpack that’s big enough to hold A4 folders, textbooks, and a PE kit is essential. It also needs to be sturdy enough to survive being thrown around.
- Fashionable but Sensible Coat: This is a tricky one. It needs to be warm and waterproof, but also pass the all-important “cool” test. Good luck.
Stationery and School Supplies
While the school often provides the basics for younger children, older students will need to arrive fully equipped.
For Primary School Children
Most primary schools provide pens, pencils, and paper. However, it’s a good idea to have a few essentials at home for homework.
- Pencil Case: A simple case with pencils, a rubber, a sharpener, and a small ruler.
- Colouring Pencils: For those creative homework tasks.
- Reading Book Bag: The school will usually provide this, but it’s the most important item to remember each day.
For Secondary School Students
Teenagers are expected to be more independent, which means bringing their own supplies.
- Pens: A plentiful supply of black or blue ballpoint pens. And a red one for marking their own work.
- Pencils and Sharpener: An HB pencil is standard, but a mechanical pencil can be a good investment.
- Highlighters: A set of different colours for revising.
- Maths Set: This should include a protractor, compass, and ruler.
- Scientific Calculator: Check with the maths department for the specific model required. This is one item you don’t want to get wrong.
- Notebooks and Folders: A separate A4 notebook and folder for each subject helps with organisation.
Lunchbox and Hydration
Keeping them fuelled and hydrated is key to a successful school day.
- Lunchbox: Choose one that’s insulated and easy to clean. If your child is having school dinners, you can skip this one (and do a little victory dance).
- Water Bottle: A reusable, leak-proof water bottle is a must. Hydration is important for concentration.
- Snack Containers: Small, reusable pots are perfect for fruit, yoghurt, or other healthy snacks.
Health and Organisation at Home
Getting ready for school isn’t just about what they take with them. Setting up good routines at home makes a huge difference.
- Establish a Routine: A few weeks before term starts, begin shifting bedtimes and wake-up times back to the school-day schedule. It’ll make that first Monday morning less of a shock to the system.
- Create a Homework Station: A quiet, designated space for homework helps with focus. Ensure it has good lighting and all the necessary supplies.
- Plan Your Mornings: Lay out uniforms and pack school bags the night before. This simple step can transform a frantic morning into a calm one.
- Check Medical Information: Does the school have up-to-date information on allergies or medical conditions? Ensure any necessary medication, like an inhaler or EpiPen, is in date and given to the school office.
Get Set for a Great School Year
Getting your children ready for a new school year can feel like a major project, but breaking it down into a checklist makes it much more manageable. By tackling the uniform, stocking up on supplies, and establishing good routines, you can ensure a smooth and positive start for everyone.
Remember to involve your children in the process, especially the older ones. Letting them choose their own stationery or backpack can help them feel more excited and prepared for the year ahead. With a little organisation, you can sit back and enjoy that first-day cup of tea in a quiet house, knowing you’ve got it all covered.
Win a Papermate Bundle
If you fancy winning a Papermate bundle ready for a few weeks into term and they have already lost their new pens then here is how to enter:
Click into the Gleam widget below and follow the entry options then sit back and relax. The winner will be contacted by email after the draw and the prize delivered directly from Amazon!
Win a Papermate Back To School Bundle
My favourite subject at school was art. Unfortunately, I fell out of love with it in my late teens and went on to study science at university!
My favourite subject at school was Maths, I absolutely loved it.
science
My favourite subject at school was Art
I enjoyed maths the most, working out problems especially algebra but I still don’t know my times tables.
Maths
My favourite school subject was Geography.
Maths was my favourite.
Believe it or not it was Maths. I just love the logic of it
My favourite subject at school was Chemistry
loved maths as did my son now an accountant his son is also loving maths who know where it will take him
My favourite was Art and PE
Does home time count? Otherwise, history
English literature
Maths was my favourite subject
My favourite subject was maths and I still love it now
Maths – unlike most of my friends I used to look forward to it on a Monday morning!
I loved History. I love learning about the past and how people lived.
Luvly Jubbly
Luvly Jubbly again
LUVLY JUBBLY
I loved art and design, anything I could be creative!
chemistry
English Literature
Geography
Probably maths
My fave subject was science, I loved the practical side of it, it was fab!
I always really loved IT at school, my teacher was amazing 🙂
I used to love English because you got to read 🙂
I really liked most lessons at school, but particularly Geography.
Art
History
My favourite subject at school was Maths
I really liked chemistry
Art 🙂
My favourite subjects were Maths and Technical Drawing, and I spent all my working life as a Civil Engineering Draughtsman!
I loved Art and wish I had carried on improving my ability x
I was always comfortable with math and I liked it most
I liked Computer Studies
My favourite subject was english i love learning about shakespear!
My favourite was maths helped by a fantastic teached
My favourite was maths
i was a science geek, loved biology!
English language- story telling and wordsmithing
art for me
My favourite subject through school and teacher training college was and still is history
My favourite was European Studies but we only did that for a year or two so geography was my favourite after that.
History for me
my fave was Geography, prob cos I always had some interest in travelling
I loved History
Art
Going home time was my favourite part of the day, but if I have to pick a subject, then maths!
Geography for me!
I loved English literature, I had a great teacher.
My favourite subject was history
Loved Arts & Crafts at school and Needlework – love making things x
Love biology still do
My favourite subkect was German
Geography for my fav
My favourite was history
I loved drama and art
I really loved History. Infact, I still do!
English
Maths was my favourite
my favourite subject was history
I love Art at school and now my granddaughters are following in my footsteps
I loved English devouring all the books we had to read even when the rest of the class hated them
My favourite was geography. I loved and still love a map to study
Food Tech
I must say I did not like school at all. The subject i liked the most was English.
I loved art the most 🙂
Art. I think it was just the most relaxing.
RME, which led to me doing Philosophy at university.
My favourite was Biology
Geography
Outdoor pursuits
Science
My favourite subject was maths.
English Literature
I enjoyed art classes at school.
I liked history as a child.
I loved Maths
Super useful info
english
My favourite subject was French. I thought it was a lovely-sounding, very expressive language,
History because I loved the teacher. I took it at GCSE just to keep him.
We had cooking at our school and I really enjoyed baking and taking the food home to share with my sisters
Woodwork as the teacher who spent most of the time out smoking.
My fav was English. Later became an English teacher and then librarian.
Physics
My favourite subject when at school was maths.
My favourite subject was English!
My favourite subject was English, especially poetry!
Geography
Art
Physics – lucky to have some really great teachers in it!
History
My favourite subject at school was french 😊
History
History was always my favourite subject
Biology
I always enjoyed Geography.
I loved PE
Maths
My favourite subject was English!
english was my favourite subject at school
i enjoyed English
For me it was always English and now I teach English as a second language so it’s the perfect job for me.
History
Art
Maths was my favourite
Geography was always my favourite
my favourite subjects were always maths and geography.
I’d have to say RE first simply because it was a non-lesson and our teacher just put a film on most of the time, and Science second as an actual lesson that I enjoyed.
My favourite subject was ALWAYS English literature
I loved Maths and Drama
I loved art and design
Geology
languages
l loved languages . . . and l went on to be a French teacher
Biology
Biology
Home economics
My favourite subject at school was Maths.
My very favourite subject at school was Geography
Always PE for me
My favourite school subject was maths
I loved History but my only A Grade was French
Art although to quote my Art teacher “you (me) can’t draw a straight line with a ruler” lol. Hate to say it, but he was right. Still loved Art.
I loved English
Geography
My favourite subject was English.
I loved History and Maths at school
I always loved art, the chance to be creative
food tech
French was my favourite subject as I loved learning new languages.
I loved pe
My favourite subject at school was art and design which I then went on to study at university
I think my favourite subject was probably geography