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Secondary education

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Original poster

Do state school sixth forms usually expect students to buy textbooks?

32 replies

Roseyposeypie · 29/08/2026 23:49

Is it normal to have to buy all text books and exercise books etc for sixth form at a state school? Just curious really, having splashed out over £100 worth of text books this week (and that’s only half of what’s needed over the two years).

OP posts:
MrsKeats · 30/08/2026 00:00

Yes obviously.
You can get lots second hand.

Original poster
Roseyposeypie · 29/08/2026 23:59

Interesting to know that it’s normal for others too. I’ll report back to the grandparents who were utterly incredulous.

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 29/08/2026 23:58

Yes. Luckily DC2 did the same subjects as DC1.

caringcarer · 29/08/2026 23:58

I think most state Sixth Forms and colleges expect this as they are under funded. This has been the norm for over 10 years. Sixth Forms generally have a couple course books in most subjects in the library but they can't be taken out of library.

Treylime · 29/08/2026 23:56

Yes. We did. Some were expensive (physics) but others i got second hand from amazon

herbalteabag · 29/08/2026 23:53

My sons had to buy everything - text books and pads of A4 paper to go into folders. He downloaded some books though and I'm not sure where from.

noblegiraffe · 29/08/2026 23:53

Yes. Schools don’t have any money.