Secondary school textbooks

[hh79]

Hi all,
Newbie here. My oldest child has just started secondary school and I'm surprised that he does not have any textbooks for any subject. I've been in touch with the school and they have confirmed that they do not have them due to budgets etc. He has been given a black and white periodic table in which you can't make out any different groups.
Is this lack of textbooks the same for all schools?
I want to buy some textbooks - any recommendations?
He's at a state school are independent schools different?

I may sound really old school but I think you need a good solid textbook for basics!
Thanks :)

yes most state school IME don't give out textbooks. Many subjects don't even use one regularly.

Cost is a massive reason, imagine how much it would cost? I taught MFL and text books cost about £20-25; for year 7 alone that would be about £5,000 a year.

I used to have a class worth of each book in my room in case I used them. I used them more for GCSE to be fair, and I certainly wouldn't recommend parents buying one before KS4. Might be useful then for some subjects.

If you DH want to buy some, ask teachers which one would be useful.

DS is at an independent, and he only brings home text books for a very small number of subjects. With quite a lot of subjects, I think they do have a class set of textbooks but the teacher keeps them at school - presumably so they don't get lost and trashed. Even at private schools they don't want to waste resources! They also use a lot of online resources - I guess that gives the teacher more flexibility than rigidly sticking to one textbook. Homework is often a task that's been set by the teacher online, either with or without an attachment. The only time we've missed having a textbook really is sometimes when he's been revising for a test - there's not always much to revise from. Equally, at this stage (Y8) they discourage them from doing much revision at home - I'm guessing once they're expected to do more at home that they'll provide more study resources either as textbooks or specific websites to use.

Thanks clary and audienda for your replies. I’ve been in touch with the teachers and the recommendations are websites and some textbooks. I will buy a textbook for science for basics (more for myself than child!)

CGP KS3 guides for Science and Maths.
A French grammar book including verb tables, and a dictionary.

Less value in books for other subjects imo, though I picked up various things in our local Oxfam Bookshop.

Yh actually a dictionary for MFL, a good one will have verbs and basic grammar, doesn't need to be big tho.

Kids at state school, they had very few text books in KS3, mostly they were given work sheets. If they had any books, they were very old and often falling apart.

But plenty of books to buy at your own cost for GCSE and A Levels, don't worry about lack of books then!

Work in a science dept in a secondary school

We only have the budget for textbooks to handed out in class rooms not for kids to have them individually. However all text books can be accessed online at home. And gcse textbooks can be purchased through ParentPay. For year 7 a workbook for help with revision can also be purchased through ParentPay

My son is in year 7 and I'm glad he's not bringing textbooks home- he would only lose them then have to pay for replacements 🤦‍♀️ I remember having a few big text books to carry around plus exercise books, the usual stationery, lunch etc, then PE kit in a separate bag sometimes as it wouldn't fit in my backpack.... the less stuff to carry the better IMO.

You need to check which exam board they sit before you invest in books

I work in a independent school and most subjects have textbooks which the children each gave BBC a copy of, and in several subjects the textbook is also online so that children can access all the activities eg listening for MFL which means that any isolating children can access the same work as their classmates in school. Very good for activities that build progressively -the Pearson MFL books are excellent (Dynamo particularly).

Periodic tables will be in black and white partly due to budget and partly so they can be annotated as they are used. If your DS has a planner you may well find a colour version at the back.

Bluebells Not for y7 surely? Yes for GCSEs obviously.

Thanks for your messages, we haven’t been given the option of buying any books and the children do not have access to any online textbooks.
I agree at least it’s not back breaking to carry them around!

I have heard of other schools using kerboodle? And doddle ? But not available at ours

I bought my son French and science text books, made homework much easier. I contacted the teachers and bought the books they were working from at school.

Kerboodle is really expensive. We certainly can't afford it.

Do schools not loan out textbooks every year anymore?

When I was at school you were given the required textbooks at the start of the year - there was a a stamped table on the inside that you were supposed to add your name to. At the end of the year you returned it. If you lost/ damaged it you were billed for its replacement.

To be honest with the curriculum being so tight you will find all the information you need on the BBC bitsize website for KS3 and 4. With KS4 you will need to know which exam board they are using as there are slight differences but most schools at this stage will recommend even sell students the relevant study/revision guides for the courses they are doing.