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Original poster

Year 7 Essentials

35 replies

HopelesslyOptimistic · 26/06/2024 14:41

Could you kindly hit me with good quality brands/shops for stationary, school ruck sack, sports bag and anything else you wish you'd known before your first child hit year 7. Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
HopelesslyOptimistic · 26/06/2024 21:05

anunlikelyseahorse · 26/06/2024 15:43

Maybe school dependant, but at my kids school ds has a bogstandard plain black backpack and Dd has same make but in purple. Neither have pencil cases as apparently they're 'so yesterday mum' eye roll from teens, as apparently that's the whole point of blazer pockets! Non of the kids seem to give a fig about brands, but that could be our catchment which is quite arty.
I'd recommend going for something quite tough though, as I swear they must use them as some type os scooter giver how worn out they get!

Ha ha how can pencil cases not be cool. Took me ages to decide and I loved them. Although that was about 100 years ago. Will bare it in mind. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
HopelesslyOptimistic · 26/06/2024 21:02

TigerOnTour · 26/06/2024 15:00

https://www.stevensons.co.uk/products/standard-backcare-backpack-3

This backpack has worn well. But it's NOT COOL. So careful...

Oh I like that! 😀

OP posts:
anunlikelyseahorse · 26/06/2024 15:43

Maybe school dependant, but at my kids school ds has a bogstandard plain black backpack and Dd has same make but in purple. Neither have pencil cases as apparently they're 'so yesterday mum' eye roll from teens, as apparently that's the whole point of blazer pockets! Non of the kids seem to give a fig about brands, but that could be our catchment which is quite arty.
I'd recommend going for something quite tough though, as I swear they must use them as some type os scooter giver how worn out they get!

DoublePeonies · 26/06/2024 15:35

Don't buy too much that could be wrong. So, if there is a decent, plain, rucksac in the house, use it, and go shopping after a couple of weeks when they know what they want. Or buy cheap plain black and replace at Christmas.
Buy enough pens, pencils rulers etc to have one set at home, and one set in the school bag - and don't take the school set out if the bag. Then it's never forgotten.
Have a stretchy elastic spring thing to clip house key to school bag. Never remove it.

Cartwrightandson · 26/06/2024 15:27

At my son's school tote bags are banned, all must have a rucksack

Flyhigher · 26/06/2024 15:26

If it's a girl they will probably dump the back pack for a tote bag or worse soon!

twistyizzy · 26/06/2024 15:05

Try to see what the other kids use for backpacks, sorry not much help as ours have to have school branded ones!
Tell DC not to give out their phone number until they have sussed other kids out and don't get involved in the group WhatsApp. DD lurks but never comments.
Buy multiple stationary and have a set in the school bag and a set at home.
Prepare them for friendships to be fluid in the first term or even throughout Yr 7 as people find their tribe.
Get used to having much less communication from school than in primary
Find out the uniform rules and make sure your DC fully knows them to prevent detentions etc
Get them into a routine of packing their bags the night before
Print off muiltple copies of the timetable and stick it on fridge, in bedroom etc as well as in bags.

Apart from that try not to let any anxiety you have transfer to your DC. It is as worrying for us as it is for them I think.

stilllovebeetroot · 26/06/2024 14:48

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TeenDivided · 26/06/2024 14:46

If you 'care' about brands then try to see what current y7s have before the end of term. Things differ by area/school. Or go with something cheap/neutral until a few weeks in.
(Otherwise no suggestions.)

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