Your school stationery and essentials list

Back to school? Here's what you really need

Whether you have an infant starting in reception or a teenager joining high school, there are multiple items that they will (and won't) need to prepare them for their studies. We've put together a no-nonsense guide of every essential, including those nice-to-have extras that make school days feel a little brighter. As a parent, you’ve already got a ton of plates to juggle – don’t let school shopping be another headache to deal with.

Your child’s educational years go beyond the classroom. With homework and revision happening at home, it’s worth gathering a few study essentials to keep things running smoothly.

So, here are all the basics to consider for every key stage.

All the essentials for primary school

Key stages 1 and 2 rarely need much external equipment, as many schools will supply the kids with everything they need. However, there are a couple of bits you can buy to help your child feel excited and proactive about the year ahead.

Top tip: If your child is starting school for the first time, help them keep nerves at bay by including them in your new term shopping trips. Head into your nearest wilko store and enjoy a fun experience of finding trendy items and colourful stationery - this will help them feel more confident, involved, and excited for the big day.

Small backpack

First things first: every child, from nursery to 'big school', will need a bag to carry their stuff. At this stage, it’s best to go for a small rucksack that’s gentle on their back and easy to carry on the school run. A personalised bag is a great way to make it easily identifiable, but your child might prefer to show off their interests with a character-themed kids' backpack.

Filled pencil case

Keep things simple for your child with a pre-filled pencil case. While foundation stages aren't usually required to take a stationery kit to school, it's still a nice idea to get your child used to looking after their own items. Look for pencil cases containing basic stationery in a matching theme and let them pick out their favourite characters or colours to make it feel more personal.

Name labels

As a parent, it's inevitable to expect your child to lose school jumpers and personal items – get ahead and buy some name labels to make it easy for teachers to match the loose uniform with the right student. Not only does this lessen the chances of having to replace clothing all the time, but it also helps your child learn to take responsibility for their own things from an early age.

P.E bag and book bag

From as young as Year 1, children will be sent home with a weekly reading book that they should read and look after. A book bag helps keep it in good condition. Most schools sell their own branded versions, but it’s not a necessity - look for cheaper alternatives that are still lightweight and easy for little ones to carry.

When P.E lessons or swimming sessions start, it's useful to own a drawstring, child-friendly bag to keep their kit together and separate from other items.

Colouring pencils and pens

Get set for the weekly homework sessions with a pack of colouring pencils and pens. This essential is on our school list for home activities, as it's important to make that time as fun and engaging as possible. In primary school, it's generally advised to leave fancy pens at home so they don't get lost, but this shouldn’t stop you from keeping a few at home to make homework feel a little more exciting.

Waterproofs and wellies

As we all know, the British weather is unpredictable at best. That's why it's recommended to take a spare set of waterproofs, including a pair of wellies and a puddle suit for wet play or outdoor activities. Keep them labelled and stored in a water-resistant bag so they're always ready to grab when the rain comes.

Equipment and stationery list for secondary school

Secondary school is the next big step in education, where lessons get harder and they’ll probably need more advanced supplies for each lesson. High school is all about encouraging independence, so your child may need more equipment as they head into Year 7 and above.

Most schools have their own recommended stationery list, but our list covers all the everyday bits and bobs they'll need - plus a few extras to help with revision and exam prep.

USB drive

As kids progress at school, their homework load ramps up. Whether they're writing up an essay out of school hours or transferring notes from their personal laptop, a USB stick is a great item to have - they can't come up with excuses; their work is safely saved and ready to print. “The dog ate my homework” just doesn’t cut it anymore!

A notebook per subject

Every school supplies exercise books for students, but it's still handy to get a couple of notepads for notetaking. As they approach GCSEs, children benefit from having revision supplies and books that allow them to doodle, take notes, and organise their knowledge in a way that suits their style. We recommend A5 size to reduce the weight in their backpacks, but an A4 drawing pad is a great shout for art lessons.

Maths tools

High school students are usually asked to bring their own scientific calculators and rulers to maths lessons, so make sure to check the student handbook to find out exactly what they need. At wilko, you can buy maths sets that include handpicked tools like a compass and a protractor, saving you the money and effort of picking up single items.

Pens and highlighters

All secondary school children are expected to bring their own pens, so grab a few packs so there's always one or two spare! From basic ballpoints to funky fountain pens, there's plenty to choose from.

It’s also a good idea to fill their pencil cases with some highlighters. That way, they can easily mark key points in handouts and book excerpts, helping important information stand out during revision.

Ring binders and sticky notes

Organisation is a key skill that's highly needed in high school, which is why ring binders are a must-have. Buy a pack of basic folders and encourage your child to store notes and documents per subject to make it easier to reach for what they need. Sticky notes are another cheap essential for jotting down notes and keeping reminders.

Thoughtful items for school and home studies

Now we've got the essentials out of the way, here are some additional ideas to make your child's learning journey extra special. Whether it's home learning resources for practising spelling or storage tips for lunchtime snacks, these touches are sure to keep them motivated every single day.

• Workbooks and activity sheets: Particularly good for early years students, workbooks are an exciting way of encouraging your child to practice their letters and numbers
• Arts and crafts supplies: Make sure you're prepared for homework and creative projects by keeping a box of glue sticks, tissue paper and stickers so your child can create truly impressive creations
• Lunch boxes: A kids' lunchbox makes all the difference to their school day. Find one with multiple compartments to keep snacks and sandwiches safely stored away
• Reward stickers and stamps: If you often face difficulties with motivating your child to finish their homework, reward stickers are a brilliant way of encouraging and celebrating their effort
• Wipe-clean calendar: Don't leave room for excuses when it comes to studying - add a whiteboard calendar to your teen's bedroom to help them schedule revision sessions and note down exam dates
• Coloured overlays and fidget tools: These are helpful for neurodivergent or SEN children who may benefit from sensory regulation or structure during study time at home and in class.