YPO's back to school checklist 2025

It's that time of year again! Across the UK, children have been enjoying a well-deserved break from studying. However, over the coming weeks, the summer holidays will come to an end and children will be returning to school.

Parents and staff across the country want their children placed in the best position to succeed. That means equipping them with the right tools when sending them to school, so they can put maximum effort towards each lesson and do their best on every bit of schoolwork.

For educators anxious about their students being adequately prepared, we've put together a complete back to school checklist for 2025 covering stationery and art supplies through to uniform and other essentials – all so you can rest assured they’ve got everything they’ll need.

Preparing for back to school

As budgets have been tightening for both schools and households, it’s important to distinguish between needs and wants. What school supplies are essential to students effectively attending and engaging in lessons, completing tasks and learning new concepts - and which are simply a nice to have when resources allow. 

Open communication between parents and teachers is also key. Understanding which supplies will be provided by schools and advising parents on what they need gather on their own ensures their minimal overlap, so both can use their budgets effectively.

YPO strives to help the public sector and the communities we serve to save money and get the best value for their budget. We understand it can be difficult to plan out exactly what your classrooms will need without having some guidance, so take a look at the lists below and start building your own back to school shopping list.

Essential Equipment

These are the things any student can’t really be sent to school without – because they’re what they’ll take the rest of their things in! Each child will have their own preference to express their own personality, but it’s well worth nudging them towards practical options that’ll last the whole school year too. 

• Backpack or school folder - Of course, there's no harm in reusing last year's backpack if it's still in good condition.
• Lunch bag - Along with food containers and cutlery to pack a nutritious meal to fuel a child for the day, unless canteen and lunch services are provided.
• Water bottle - Having a reusable water bottle is not only better for the environment than plastic but ensures students always has water conveniently on hand.
• Labels - Children inevitably lose things. Having personal items labelled prevents them from getting mixed up with those of other students and makes them easier to identify at the lost property.

Stationery

Having these stationery items on hand will have students prepared for attending  lessons on any subject. They'll be ready to complete assignments, take notes and stay on top of revising.

• Pencil - An obvious item at the top of the list for writing and drawing, our line of Bic Evolution Pencils are shatter shatter-resistant and made partially with recycled material.
• Sharpener - And of course, to match the pencils, YPO metal wedge sharpeners fit most standard pencil sizes and ensure pencils are ready for writing and drawing.
• Pens - Another essential item for writing, our Bic ballpoint pens are available in various colours.
• Exercise books - YPO's A4 writing books are great for primary schools to help students practice handwriting.
• Highlighters - When note-taking or revising, these Stabilo highlighters organise and bring structure and focus to notes and reading materials.
• Rubber - Erase and edit written notes with minimal pencil traces and residue for multiple paper and pencil types with YPO's plastic erasers.
• Ruler - Clear rulers make it easy to measure and draw straight lines. They're shatter-resistant and can handle any drops, bumps and bruises that students may put them through.
• Pencil cases - The stationery kit wouldn't be complete without some zip pencil cases to store your newly purchased stationery supplies!
• Maths and geometry kit - Particularly for secondary school students, having your own compass, protractor and scientific calculator for completing school in these subject areas.

Art supplies

Again, this is an area where it's important for teachers to collaborate with parents. Often these items may be provided along with other arts and crafts items, like assorted cards, paints and glitter, but sometimes it can be easier if a student has their own.

• Glue sticks - These will come in handy for all manner of arts and crafts, whether gluing paper, cardboard, felt, fabric, cotton and many other crafting bits and bobs.
• Scissors - Cut, resize and shape all types of paper, fabrics and craft items to suit their next masterpiece.
• Colouring pencils - Budding young artists can create and express themselves with these colouring pencils.

Uniform and P.E

You'll need to advise on uniform guidelines for your specific school as requirements will vary (jumper vs cardigan, blazers, ties, etc). However, the items listed here should cover the main bases. If your students can still fit into last year's set, more power to them. However, if purchasing new items, it may be wise to buy slightly larger than needed to accommodate growth across the school year.

• School shirts (x3-5) & Trousers / skirts (x3) - Adequate to get through a full week, depending on how often you are planning to use the washing machine.
• School jumper - To keep warm during the colder days of the year.
• Socks / tights (x5) - Again, enough to get through a full week of school.
• School blazer and tie - Each school
• Shorts and polos (x2) - Make sure your child is prepared for PE lessons and not getting docked for kit marks.
• Smart shoes - A pair of smart shoes to attend classes other than PE lessons.
• Trainers - You can't participate in sports and active games in smart shoes. So be sure to have a pair of trainers on hand for days when your child has PE lessons
• Head bands / hair ties - For long hair as needed.
• Raincoat - There's no such thing as bad weather, only being improperly dressed. Be prepared to brave the elements!

Getting started on your checklist

With the help of this checklist, you'll be able to ensure your classrooms are fully stocked and your students are ready to succeed with all the items they need for the year ahead.

To reiterate, communication is key. Be sure to check in with parents and on any specific requirements in the way of school supplies or uniforms. Offer some guidance on what the school will provide and what students need to bring for themselves.

It's also important to be proactive, start having these conversations, and completing your back to school checklist early. Time is your friend, and you want to give yourself adequate runway to pick up everything you'll need without added stress.

Although we've highlighted some specific brands in this checklist, you can find similar products from various suppliers across our site as well. It’s also worth looking at our back to school sale to see what savings you can make while getting your child ready for the 2025/2026 academic year!