School policy on pencil cases

[Esptea]

What's the policy on pencil cases at your children's schools? Apparently, all writing materials are provided for children at DD's school at both KS1 and 2 and children aren't able to bring in their own.

I thought this was probably quite normal at KS1 but was fairly shocked that a year 6 wasn't allowed to take in their own things.

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Ours have been through state primary and are now in state secondary schools in Wales.

Since they started writing in pen (year 3) they have been expected to take their own pencil case in. Resources are limited so it’s easier for them to have the basics (including a glue stick in primary and now in secondary a scientific calculator and protractors) of their own. The only rule in primary was that the pencilcase had to easily fit in their drawers - no massive Smiggle things!

As far as I’m aware it’s never caused any trouble. I’m sure we’d have been told if it did.

[PuffinDodger]

Ours had it provided in KS1 then took their own pencil case in KS2. I wasn't aware of it causing problems. Ditto KS3 and 4 so far. Doesn't mean there aren't problems i guess!

[Pud2]

Because no one has time to check bags,trays and question kids when something does go missing, console the ones that lost/broken/had theirs stolen and try to placate irate parents because "it's the third pencil case this month and that pen was from smiggle and was £15"

Love your post Panicandrun. Every point you made is so true!

OP - you really don’t need to be ‘shocked’!

[Starlight456]

I don’t know why you want to make life harder for yourself. Year 4 it kicked in overpriced Smiggle it was now at high school wouldn’t be seen dead with Smiggle .

I can honestly say there was nothing in that pencil case that developed a love of writing , more something else to fiddle with.

[Pud2]

Exactly! And most schools provide good quality pens and pencils, not ‘scratchy old biros’.

[MrsFoxPlus4Again]

Never known this policy. The only think regarding pencil cases and writing tools is that it’s a clear pouch

[Henssis]

My DD went to a private school with a free place and so did some of her friends there wasn't any one-upmanship but I always put that down to the fact that the children were treated more like adults and if their favourite pen went missing they were told to just move on.

[Lipperfromchipper]

Here in Ireland schools don’t provide ANYTHING, children bring in all they need con whatever pencil case they want. I find as a parent and as a teacher...
They look after their belongings.
They don’t give a hoot what others have (most of the time)
They always have what they need on their on desk.
The teacher isn’t being interrupted over silly things because they are too busy using their own stuff.
It is generally part of the rules that they give back what they borrow if they ever do need to.

[BarrenFieldofFucks]

Ours don't have a policy per se. They don't need to bring their own, but can do. I remember the same when I was younger.

[PristineCondition]

The poor kids for bullies for not having smiggle stuff and Cath kidson bags so no pencil cases through school and only plain bags in year 6

[ManiacalLapwing]

We provide a basic pencil case for every child with a pen, pencil, ruler, coloured pencils.
This is a good compromise. They need to learn to look after their own things ready for secondary school.

[Millie2013]

Y3 and 4 are allowed to take their own stationery in DD’s school, with the proviso that everything is named
DD (Y2) smuggles in a pen, but keeps it in her pocket. Badass 😂

[Eccle80]

In the First school everything is provided, no pencil cases. At middle school (from year 5) we have to provide everything from a fixed list, so have to have handwriting pens

[SpruceTree]

The competition for best most expensive Smiggle products is much worse in KS2 than in KS1. Its at its worst in Yr 6 so I don't know why you are surprised OP.
Nothing wrong with having a level playing field. School pens and pencils are perfectly adequate.
Your child can use fancy pencils at home though.

[TitchyP]

Ours have to have the school rucksack that comes with standard issue pencil case. Not allowed their own choice. It's a small independent school

[MistressMind]

Ours have standard issue pencil cases. No scratchy biros though. It's not like schools have money to burn, so I've always assumed they are supplying this stuff for a good reason.

OP it's good that you're thinking about them organising themselves & being independent, but there are lots of ways they can work on that without involving scented rubbers or hinged rulers.

[o0]

Never even heard of schools providing all the items!

We get a list of whats needed and asked to name it all.

[Anoisagusaris]

I’m always amazed reading these threads as to how different UK schools are from Irish ones.

Kids here bring pencil cases (in their rucksack type school bag along with, in most schools, their lunch box)

[sunflowerfield]

Our school is allowed to have own pencil case from KS2. You need to buy best pencil case, best pens, erasers, etc, etc. Got into the situation when things were stolen, thrown away out of jealousy(?), and it's horrible.
If the school can provide, it's really great, imo.

[MiniEggAddiction]

I can't believe anyone would be upset about not having pencil cases in school. You can still go to smiggle and buy the more elaborate pencil case going your DC just can't show it off or get distracted by it during school time.

[SavoyCabbage]

Same at ours. I haven’t got time to go to the toilet at playtime never mind sort out if Lisa has Susan’s pen.

[SimonJT]

At the moment ours aren’t allowed to bring anything in during years r-5, in year 6 school only give ‘emergency’ stationery supplies to children as secondary schools don’t supply stationery. The parents handbook clearly states staff take no responsibility and will not spend time searching for lost items of stationery.

[BigusBumus]

This is why I don't understand why the supermarkets and stationery shops only stock really babyish pencil cases covered in characters or sequins. I really struggle to find a normal plain pencil case that's big enough for my 3 teenage boys that's not covered in Moshi Monsters or whatever.

[myself2020]

Everything is provided in KS1, but kids bring their own in KS2. a bit of a waste of school money to buy pens etc in my opinion

[Mumshappy]

Dd9 was allowed her own pencil case etc when she started year 4. When she started year 3 she took her own backpack instead of using the book bags that dont hold anything Not aware of any one upmanship to date fingers crossed.