The jump from primary to secondary school is a big one, and getting your back to school shopping list sorted early can take a lot of the stress out of September. Here’s everything most Year 7 pupils in the UK will need for their first day at high school, with a tick list at the end so you can work through it at your own pace.
Before buying anything, check your child’s new school’s own equipment and uniform list. Requirements vary a lot between schools, especially around calculators, bags, PE kit and branded uniform items, so this should always be your starting point.
Uniform and shoes
Most secondary schools have a stricter, more detailed uniform policy than primary school. A typical list includes a blazer or jumper, shirts or polo tops, trousers or a skirt, a tie, and smart black shoes rather than trainers. It’s worth buying enough shirts to get through the school week without midweek washing, since uniform items have a habit of going missing or getting stained in the early weeks.
PE kit
Secondary PE kit is usually more extensive than primary, often including a house colour top, shorts or a skort, tracksuit bottoms, trainers, and sometimes separate kit for different sports. Some schools also ask for shin pads, a gum shield or swimwear depending on what’s on the timetable that term.
Stationery
Secondary stationery lists tend to step up a level from primary. On top of pens, pencils, a rubber and a sharpener, most Year 7 pupils will need a compass, a protractor and a ruler for maths and science, plus a scientific calculator. The Casio fx-83GT CW is the UK’s best-selling scientific calculator and is allowed in every UK exam where a calculator can be used, recommended and approved for Key Stages 3 and 4 including GCSE, so it’s a sensible one-off buy that should last right through to GCSEs.
For the maths kit itself, the Helix Oxford Maths Set is a long-running UK bestseller that covers compass, protractor, set squares and ruler in one tin. For everyday pens and highlighters, the BIC 23-piece stationery set is a cheap way to fill a pencil case and keep spares at home.
Be top of the class with Uni-ball
In today’s increasingly digital world, choosing the right pen for a new pencil case has become something special again. Uni-ball, from the Mitsubishi Pencil Company, has been making pens for 130 years, and its range has something for every student heading back to the classroom this September.
The Uni-ball Eye (from £2.99) has been one of the world’s favourite pens for over 20 years. Its Super Ink is fade resistant, water resistant and tamper proof, and a “Uni-Flow” system keeps ink flowing consistently right down to the last drop. A clear barrel shows when ink is running low, and the 0.7mm medium nib suits everyday writing and school projects at any age or key stage. The stainless-steel tip is strong enough to survive heavy-handed homework, and with eight colours and three nib sizes to choose from, there’s an Eye pen for everyone. It’s also available as a Designer 5-pack in assorted colours.
For fast note-taking, the Uni-ball Jetstream Sport (from £2.99) combines the smooth glide of a rollerball with the fast-drying finish of a ballpoint, which cuts down on smudging and makes it a good choice for left-handed writers as well as right-handed ones. It’s retractable, so there’s no cap to lose, and it uses the same Super Ink as the Eye.
For something a bit more playful, the Uni-ball One P (£5.00) is a compact, pastel-coloured rollerball in shades like peach, mint and banana. Its short, chunky barrel and 0.5mm nib make it a stylish, easy-to-hold addition to any pencil case.
For pupils who want to personalise their own kit, the POSCA Marker Pen and Water Bottle Set (RRP £39.99) pairs eight fine and medium paint markers with a plain bottle to decorate. The water-based paint is quick-drying, blendable and fade resistant, so pupils can paint, letter or illustrate their own design.
The Uni-ball Eye and Jetstream ranges are also widely available from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, TG Jones and Ryman.
Bag and everyday kit
A bigger bag is usually needed to carry multiple textbooks and exercise books between lessons, so look for something durable with decent back support and room for an A4 folder. The Eastpak Padded Pak’r is a durable, hard-wearing backpack built with school kids in mind, offering a 30-year guarantee, with 24 litres of space including room for A4 folders and a laptop in the internal pocket.
For drinks, the Chilly’s Original 500ml bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. For lunch, the PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Bag has freezable gel built into its walls, so there’s no ice pack to remember. A homework planner or diary is also worth having ready from day one.
Amazon back to school deals
Amazon UK runs back to school offers through August and into September, and prices on the items above can move around during that window, so it’s worth checking current pricing before you buy. Browse Amazon’s back to school deals for the latest offers on stationery, bags and lunch supplies.
Labelling everything
With pupils moving between classrooms and PE changing rooms all day, it’s easy for items to go astray. Labelling uniform, PE kit, water bottles and equipment with your child’s name can save a lot of hassle (and expense) later in the term.
Your back to school shopping list tick list
- Blazer or jumper
- Shirts/polo tops (enough for the school week)
- Trousers or skirt
- Tie
- School shoes
- PE top and shorts/skort
- Tracksuit bottoms
- PE trainers
- Pens and pencils
- Rubber and sharpener
- Ruler, compass and protractor
- Scientific calculator
- Pencil case
- Backpack
- Reusable water bottle
- Lunch box or bag
- Homework planner/diary
- Name labels
