Things to take to boarding school for the 1st time

[thekidstaxi]

Other than the obvious, duvet set ect. What are the things your child really found useful, fun or wish they had thought about taking when going to boarding school for their first time? And what did they take but have never used or needed?

We gradually added “stuff” as DDs went through the year. Never ever a screwdriver though! Dangerous implement? Who cares about pens? Whatever they normally use is fine.

We were before the fairy lights craze. LEDs don’t give off heat. Anything electrical should/will be tested by the school for safety.
I came across a hairdryer with a school safety label on the other day! Forgot I had it.

My DDs took a familiar cuddly toy. Mesh washing bags were on the list compiled by the school. First wash - all underwear shrunk and went grey. Everyone brought washing home. We had to have trunks and the school had trunk storage. Lined the trunk with 2 layers of blankets for easy lifting.

Cannot remember much they took but didn’t use. They ended up smuggling stuff in they weren’t supposed to use: hair dye!!

DD1 was house captain and she was responsible for getting the culprits to get the uneaten noodles out of the sinks. They got blocked with noodles! Mine never took food. School food was restaurant quality and plenty of it. The other craze was for named sweatshirts from other schools.

You can always send what they don’t have. Or take it when you go to the school.

OP - yes, on the post front, it's a really big deal to get some.

Just a word of warning about tuck boxes -
Don't try and hide a bag of satsumas in with the crisps and chocolate, as they get left in there, go mouldy and ruin the ££££ tuck box in the first term.

Thanks everyone, I now have a good list. Going to start looking for really comfy mattress topper as that sounds like a must have.
It's full boarding so would be 2 weeks before she's home to get more supplies and really want to make the first couple of weeks as easy as possible to ease the transition.

White Company or M&S are good for mattress toppers.

You can send stuff to the school! On line ordering is allowed!