Back-to-school checklist: everything you need for the new school year

A new term is approaching. Whether your child is starting Reception, heading back to primary school or making the leap to secondary, getting organised early can make the back-to-school rush a little less frantic.

The trick is not to buy everything in sight. Check your school's uniform and equipment list first, take stock of what still fits from last year and then fill in the gaps.

From uniform and school shoes to school coats, stationery and name labels, here's a practical back-to-school checklist, including brands and buys recommended by Mumsnet users.

School uniform checklist

Before you shop, check whether your school requires branded items and whether it runs a second-hand uniform sale or swap scheme.

Depending on your child's school, you may need:

• Polo shirts or school shirts (five to seven per child)

• Trousers, skirts, shorts or pinafores (three to four per child)

• School jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan (two to three per child)

• Blazer and tie, if required

• Socks or tights (at least seven pairs)

• Coat or waterproof jacket

• Hat, gloves and scarf for colder weather

• Summer hat, if required

You don't necessarily need a fresh uniform for every day of the week. How much you buy will depend on how often you wash it and how prone your child is to coming home covered in lunch, paint or playground mud.

Mumsnetters regularly recommend M&S and Next for school uniforms, particularly when durability matters, while supermarket ranges such as Tu Clothing can be useful for affordable everyday basics.

– Recommended brand by 89redballoons 

It's also worth looking at second-hand uniforms before buying everything new. Branded jumpers and blazers in particular can often be picked up in good condition for considerably less.

School shoes checklist

• Everyday school shoes (one or two pairs)

• Trainers for PE, if required

• Black plimsolls

• Football boots or specialist sports shoes, if required

• Wellies, if requested by your school

Fit is more important than brand, particularly for children with narrow or wide feet. Clarks and Start-Rite are both frequently mentioned by Mumsnet users when it comes to school shoes and different width fittings.

– Recommended brand by alcoholnightmare

For children who prefer trainer-style shoes, Start-Rite Strike and the sportier Start-Rite League are current options worth considering. If your school asks for traditional black PE pumps, Clarks plimsolls are another straightforward choice.

– Recommended brand by Bitzee

Don't size up excessively in the hope that shoes will last all year: badly fitting footwear isn't much of a bargain.

PE kit checklist

Check your school's PE kit checklist before shopping, as requirements vary considerably whether your child is in primary or secondary and whether they’re joining in any extra curricular activities.

• PE t-shirts (two or three per child)

• Shorts or skort (two or three per child)

• Jogging bottoms or leggings

• PE sweatshirt or hoodie

• Trainers or plimsolls

• PE socks

• PE bag (the Nike Brasilla Drawstring Gymbag is voted as the best in our guide)

• Swimming costume or trunks

• Swimming hat

• Football boots

• Gum shield or other specialist equipment

For secondary school in particular, it’s a good idea to wait for the official list before buying a sport-specific kit.

Lunchbox checklist

If your child is starting Reception in England, a lunchbox may not be top of the list just yet. Children at government-funded schools get free school meals throughout KS1 with the universal infant free school meals scheme, although you’ll still need one for packed-lunch days, trips or clubs.

When packed lunches are on the menu for your DC, you don’t need dozens of different containers.

• Lunchbox or lunch bag

• Reusable snack box

• Water bottle

• Reusable cutlery, if needed

• Small ice pack, if needed

• Name labels

A compartmented lunchbox such as the Munchkin Lunch Bento Box can keep different foods separate, while the Munchkin Snack Wheel is a handy option for fruit, vegetables and other smaller snacks.

Choose a water bottle that's leak-resistant, easy for your child to open and simple to clean. For younger children, it's worth practising opening their new lunchbox and bottle independently before term starts.

And label the lot. Lunchboxes and water bottles have an uncanny ability to disappear within days of entering a school building…

Name labels checklist

• School jumpers and cardigans

• Coats

• PE kit

• PE bag

• Shoes

• Lunchbox

• Water bottle

• Backpack

• Pencil case and other belongings

Stikins are a longstanding Mumsnet favourite (with 98% of Mumsnet Rated testers recommending the brand) and can be used on clothing labels as well as school equipment.

– Recommended brand by xmasdealhunter

Whatever type of label you choose, the important bit is using them. Mumsnetters' advice is pretty consistent on this one: if there's any possibility of an item being taken off, put your child's name on it.

Stationery checklist

For younger primary-aged children, check whether you actually need to provide stationery as many schools supply everything in the classroom. That said, by the time your DC reaches Year 3 or Year 4, it’s likely they’ll have their own stationery wish list and needs. 

Older primary and secondary pupils may need:

• Pens

• HB pencils

• Colouring pencils

• Rubber

• Pencil sharpener

• Ruler

• Highlighters

• Glue stick

• Pencil case

• Maths set

• Scientific calculator

• Notebooks or folders

There are plenty of options beyond the traditional pencil case staples, too. Crayola Clicks retractable pens and highlighters dispense with easy-to-lose lids, while the Maped Kidy Learn Concentration Stationery Set includes tactile stationery designed with sensory needs in mind.

For maths, the Maped Helix Oxford Vision Maths Set has accessibility features including large-print and tactile markings.

Before buying a calculator for secondary school, check whether your child's school specifies a particular model.

School bag checklist

• Backpack or school bag

• Book bag, if required

• PE bag

• Lunch bag

• Pencil case

• Small umbrella, if appropriate

• Bus pass or travel card holder for older children

• Keyring or other easy identifier

For younger children, check the school's requirements before buying a backpack. Some schools prefer pupils to use book bags because storage space is limited.

For secondary pupils carrying books, lunch, PE kit and potentially a laptop or tablet, comfort and sturdy straps become much more important.

At-home homework station checklist

A little organisation at home can prevent the nightly hunt for a pencil or glue stick just when your DC sits down to do their homework. 

Keep a small homework supply containing:

• Pens and pencils

• Colouring pencils or pens

• Rubber and sharpener

• Ruler

• Scissors

• Glue sticks

• Paper

• Notebooks

• Maths equipment

• Spare school labels

A desktop organiser such as the Learning Resources Create-a-Space Storage Centre can keep everything together without taking over the dining table or your child’s desk.

You don't need to create an elaborate Pinterest-worthy homework station. A well-stocked box or organiser that children know how to find and, ideally, put things back into does the job.

Secondary school extras checklist

Starting secondary school often comes with a much longer equipment list. Depending on the school, your child may also need:

• Blazer

• Tie

• Specialist PE kit

• Scientific calculator

• Maths set

• Folders or notebooks

• Laptop or tablet, if required

• Headphones

• USB drive, if required

• Bus pass or travel card

• House keys

Don't rush to buy expensive technology or specialist equipment before you've received the school's official requirements.

What Mumsnet users say

“My DD has made it to Year 11 in the same blazer she started Year 7 in.” Firenzeflower

“My daughter’s uniform cost about £400 when she started secondary [school], including a £90 blazer. The shop told me it was the expensive blazer they sold as it had piping on the lapels.” Holdonforsummer

"High school the same, before starting I asked on fb the best charity shops for the high school uniform. Got a few responses including one woman who had a bunch of her DDs stuff I could have. I only bought a skirt and school tie new. Everything else gifted or charity shop bought. [The] only thing I bought this year was a blazer part way through the year as [I] couldn't find a second hand one in the right size.” AliceMcK

Before you buy anything…

A quick stocktake can save a surprising amount of money.

• Try on last year's uniform

• Check whether school shoes still fit

• Look through last year's PE kit

• Test pens and stationery before replacing them

• Check lunchboxes and bottles for leaks or damage

• Look for reusable folders, bags and pencil cases

• Check the school's second-hand uniform options

• Read the latest school uniform and equipment list

• Label everything before the first day

Mumsnetters often recommend* spending where fit and durability really matter, particularly on school shoes, while saving on everyday basics and making use of supermarket uniforms, second-hand sales and hand-me-downs where possible.

The most useful back-to-school checklist is ultimately the shortest one you can get away with: check what you've already got, check what your school actually requires and only then start shopping.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a Senior Content Editor hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she aims to bring parents content that’s designed to make life easier. As a parent of two young children herself, she knows full well how much school uniform can cost families. Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

*mumsGPT conversational analysis, 17 August 2025 to 17 August 2026