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Primary education

School supplies list

16 replies

mr87 · 19/07/2019 04:08

Hi there. I'm an American moving to the UK in a couple weeks. My daughter starts Reception in September. A random question that Google isn't helping me answer: do primary schools over there give out school supplies lists? In the US, parents are given long lists of supplies for each child to bring to school on the first day. Glue sticks, crayons, scissors, pencils, markers, paper, tissues, notebooks and so on. I am just curious if it's the same over there. So far the school system seems to be very different than what I'm use to, so it made me wonder.

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ursuslemonade · 19/07/2019 04:40

The very first time my dd came home with a list like that was at the end of year 2. Of course schools differ but why don't you e-mail the office?

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swizzlestix · 19/07/2019 04:44

Hi generally in reception you don't need to supply any school supplies Smile

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BrieAndChilli · 19/07/2019 04:56

Probably varies on school but generally you don’t need to provide any stationery supplies.

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BrieAndChilli · 19/07/2019 04:57

Normally you will need
Uniform
Coat
Wellies
PE kit
Water bottle

And that’s it

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NewSchoolNewName · 19/07/2019 06:29

Our primary school hasn’t asked parents to provide any stationary supplies.

I don’t think it’s usual in the UK for primary schools to send supplies lists like that out, but if you want to make sure, the best thing to do would be to contact the schools office and ask them.

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TeaKettleBell · 19/07/2019 06:35

Are you coming to NI? We have to do school supplies.

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Myotherusernameisshy · 19/07/2019 06:36

The school generally supplies all stationary and even bags at my dc’s school. We only supply uniform, PE kit, wellies and a water bottle.

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Pipandmum · 19/07/2019 06:38

Not in reception but we had to supply stuff like your list after that. School provided the paper/notebooks etc. But I’m sure they will send you a list with some sort of welcome pack or school guideline pamphlet.

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CatsForLife · 19/07/2019 06:48

I’ve never heard of this with my kids primary school, or any of my friends, maybe it depends what area of UK you are in as different local authorities might have different rules. Here we provide uniform, PE kit and wellies. They provide school book bag and water bottle which they wash and refill there.

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Dandelion1993 · 19/07/2019 06:58

In reception they don't need any.

In our school they need a pencil case and contents from yr1.

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stucknoue · 19/07/2019 07:04

Generally no but you will need uniform, pe kit, book bag, spare uniform to be left at school (little ones sometimes need it) water bottle, old shirt/apron for art and many schools ask for a financial contribution towards extras at the school, typically £10-20 per family per year but that doesn't always happen. Some schools have a donations needed list for things like tissues but mine have always just asked for a voluntary contribution

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PantsyMcPantsface · 19/07/2019 07:26

You need uniform, pe kits at some point in the year and it's worth having pencils and glue etc at home for various home tasks that come home over the year. Schools tend to supply things like pencils and other stationery for in school (and some schools don't allow pencil cases from home at all - when your kids hit peak Smiggle age you'll understand why on that front).

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sirfredfredgeorge · 19/07/2019 09:37

Normally you will need
Uniform
Coat
Wellies
PE kit
Water bottle

And that’s it


And a bloody book bag!

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EduCated · 19/07/2019 12:10

Most likely not in the way that you will be familiar with in the US. You may get a request to provide their personal stationery (pens and pencils), but not the level of general supplies for the class like US schools often seem to request, and much less prescriptive.

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nonicknameseemsavailable · 19/07/2019 13:50

we have never had to provide any equipment in primary school at all. it is very different to the US school system

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mr87 · 19/07/2019 15:34

Thanks everyone! Just more a curiosity question and didn't want to bother the school with the question just yet. In the US the list can be fairly long and very brand specific. Glad to know it will likely be simpler over there.

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