School expenses

starryeyed19. One of my DC's schools had a fund especially for parents in your position, in fact our PTA donated some of their funds to it. This state school was able to help with some costs and these parents were allowed to access the used uniform supplies, taking uniform free of charge before their children started at the school. I would write a short private and confidential letter to the headteacher explaining your difficulties and asking if there is any available help. I am sure they will be sympathetic and discreet.

If your DC get FSM, check whether the school offers a grant towards uniform from PP money - I know the school my DC has been allocated do this, but they have an expensive uniform (kilts, blazers, everything embroidered by the official school outfitter...).

Contact the office and enquire about the second hand uniform now before everyone else. Some of it may be brand new. You may have to pay for embroidery though.

Very sensible to plan.

Uniform shops near us do a lay away plan so you can go in now and try on/bundle up all that you need with a small deposit. Then pay a bit off weekly. Maybe they will offer that near you?

Also don’t feel like you need too many of things before they start. You can always go back the month after to top up after another payday has passed.

DD’s School offered a cheap offer of their preferred GCSE calculator and maths kit within first term so might be worth asking if the school will be doing that.

Definitely agree with second set of stationery items at home. In secondary they really need a specific quiet area for homework, even if it's just a corner of a bedroom (often ours, because its out of the way)so it can be kept there.

I would advise you contact the school and ask for the key things your DC will need including sports kit. Saves you wasting money on items that are not needed. Also ask them if there are anything you may need to pay for or towards so you can plan for those too.

Our school does an outward bound/bonding day for y7s in Sept that costs ~£25. Forgot about that.

OK you have uniform list.
If they have school stockists, don't assume everything has to come from there. Our school at one point said school skirts had to, but hardly anyone did and that requirement has now gone, I think.
Buy big: e.g. blazers with arms down to little fingers. Lots of people do this and it increases how long they last. (Or have a small child, DD1's blazer lasted 5 years).
Don't buy too soon because of growth spurts.
If you are struggling, some schools have quiet second hand uniform for children in need. e.g leavers are asked to donate uniform back so it can be redistributed.

Rucksack / school bag.

You may be asked for contribution towards art sketchbook / pencils, & food tech. At our school you just provide the food tech ingredients yourself when they are rotated onto that (only about 8 weeks of the year).

Pencil case containing pen, pencils, selotape, pritt, geometry kit, calculator. Don't buy a calculator without checking the recommended model and whether the school provides it at a discount.

Many schools round us seem to do a France trip at the end of year 7, but they have a maximum number so not even half the year group go. but if you wanted something like this you might need deposit money to hand.

I have found it useful to have at home

• a French reference book (verbs & vocab)
• a CGP KS3 Science guide
• a second pencil case so the school one stay in the rucksack and doesn't get forgotten

A big potential hidden expense is that some school assume pupils have access to a laptop and printer at home. They should make allowances/arrangements for those that don't, but I guess some will be better than others. Some schools set homework electronically. (Ours doesn't).

Secondaries seem to have far fewer random requests for money than primary schools, but there still might be occasional charity days.

Transport costs?

School dinners costs?

Do you know anyone with DC already at the school? If so, they may be able to tell,you which bits of uniform you really need and which options are never worn.

If possible, keep using old primary backpack, and get a new one a couple of weeks after they've started and s/he's had a chance to get their eye in, in terms of what confirms to the unspoken teen code.

PE kit can add up, because as well as school shoes, s/he'll need acceptable trainers (some schools are stricter on colours than others) and maybe football/hockey/rugby boots.

Find out if the school,has a preferred type of calculator before getting one. And if they go for the very widely used Casio, Wilkos usually stock them at a better price than elsewhere on high street.

Check and see if your school has a second hand uniform shop, lots do. In addition to sports kit we needed Astro boots for hockey, mouth guard.

Hello! You sound very sensible to do this.

Things to consider; iPad - school may have a scheme to lease one?; scientific calculator; maths sets (protractor/compsss etc) you may need to purchase a dictionary/bible/language dictionary; lab coat; indoor/outdoor trainers; lunch costs; charity donations of about £5 per term: sadly world bloody book day doesn't disappear at secondary school so £10 for that; I'd also try and find out from a current year 7 parent what trips you are likely to have to fork out for. Also don't skimp on labelling kit/uniform as it is a PITA (and expensive) if it goes missing.

Good luck to your newbie Y7!

Rucksack, pencil case and stationery. My DD had to have a specified atlas, and a Spanish dictionary. Winter coat, but check if it has to be a specified colour.