Pretty sure I repeat others but this is what we learned last year
Copy of pencil case essentials at home. DD’s maths teacher gives detention for missing equipment so if something is broken or lost thre is a replacement at home and will be replaced as well with the next shopping.
Copy of the timetable at a notice board at home, at least for the beginning. I am lost as Dd’s School has a two week timetable and I never remember which week is which but Dd can now.
Big wall calendar to log homework so you have an overview what is due when. DD has to do some each day and if she has days blocked due to hobbies or weekends away she can see it straight away and plan accordingly.
Fixed place to do homework and store books. DD has the possibility to keep books at her locker in school but we know she won’t remember taking the ones home she needs for homework so all is kept in a drawer unit at her desk in her room.
Bag is packed each evening before going to bed.
We have a small packmac coat in the required school colour for rainy days when the umbrella is not enough.
Let her decide which water bottle and umbrella is fashionable. We gave her vouchers to swap against the real thing when she was 2 weeks in school and had an idea what was cool.
Winter coat - DD wears hers when it is cold so don’t pay over the top for one. But most of her classmates do need to walk at least 15-20 minutes, most more, and wil wear one. It has to fit into the locker though.
Arts kit and PE kit stays in school in her locker.
Forget healthy eating in school. DD buys lunch but normally takes a snack and fruit with her apart from Friday when she can buy what she likes. They have a £5 cap per day.
A lot less communication with the parents, the teacher expect the children to log information into their planners and tell the parents unless a permission slip is needed.
Take a photo of all log-in details they get for school websites, apps, intranet etc, they will never remember where they wrote it down.
Let her take some paper slips with her phone number with her, they may exchange numbers with new friends and as usual most won’t know their own number. Encourage exchanging numbers, there will be the day they forgot a homework, lost a letter, can’t remember what is required for art. Because you won’t meet the parents and after one year I only have one mum’s number in my phone unless it is a mum from primary school in the same form.
Encourage her to ask for help. They have to be more independent but teachers and older students will help the newbies when asked. DD got lost between buildings in the first week and luckily spotted a girl she knows from scouts because she was too afraid approaching someone. They all have been there and the school is keen on drumming into them to help others.