'back To School' - Stationary

[Baby_Sham]

My son is going to secondary school in September, and I'm not sure what to get him in terms of stationary. There is no 'list' enclosed with all the other lists of things he'll need.

When I was at secondary school I remember choosing pens, pencils, calculators, protractors, A4 ring binders, etc etc... but I'm not sure how much of it I needed, or even used.

What should I get for him to take. Quick list would be ideal.

Thanks.

[sherrardk]

When boy#1 started secondary he just had a pencil case with ordinary lead pencils, pens and a ruler. Last year (year 8) he needed a calculator too.

[grasscarp]

I would suggest a maths set which contains protractor etc, pencils with rubber on end, biros and a maths calculator - ie one with square roots and percentages etc. That should see him through. I think if they need you to get anything else they would tell you in advance.

[JacksonsMom]

Just a basic pencil case.. highlight pens are useful, and a good multi function calculator.. they are about a tenner but are worth it.. mine lasted all way through 6th form too.. make sure its labeled with your childs name too.. although most schools do provide calculators. My old school, all the pupils now have ipads as they're trying to go 'eco'

[Baby_Sham]

That's great, thanks.
I was thinking Tippex, Prit Stick, A4 folders, but I think it'll just weight him down unnecessarily.

[sherrardk]

Most schools don't allow Tippex. Also, most schools sell pens, etc and they are reasonably priced - maybe you could give your son some money in case he needs to buy anything.

[Baby_Sham]

Good idea!

Thanks again.

[factor-fiction]

It would be helpful if schools would include a list of stationery items alongside details of uniform and other info for parents relating to new students.
I would just stick to a basic maths set (ruler essential), pencil and pens for now.

[DJHawkes]

It's all crazy, for the past few years i have witnessed mums spending stupid amounts of money on back to school stuff and they do the same every year, the new starters at high school can spend a 100 quid on stuff., it will still get lost lent or stolen, it's never ending.

[hc4361]

This question has taken me back to my school days. Some of my classmates would have highly organised, well looked after stationery sets; some would have a ratty pencil case jammed with pens that didn't work, pencils that had no point erasers covered in ink and gunk.

Some girls had pretty, pretty pencil cases others had scrawled all over theirs or stuck stickers of their pop heroes on.


I had a ten a penny Bic biro in my shirt pocket. It often leaked. Happy days.

[Baby_Sham]

Factor, yes that's what I thought. They have a list of the school uniform, list of the P.E kit, menu of school dinners... yet nothing to say what they should bring on their first day.

Dot, I went into WH Smiths and there was a huge array of 'Back To School' stuff. The usual pens and pencils, but then folders, note pads, art sets, felt tip sets, crayons, pencil crayon sets, sticky note pads, etc etc etc...

Hc, you are getting 'best answer'... just because it made me smile :-)

[sherrardk]

Baby sham - my son goes to a really small secondary school and he can get any stationary he needs from the school. He even got loads of notice that he needed a certain type of calculator. However, if your boy is anything like mine he might get told he needs something in a fortnight's time, but won't tell you until the night before he needs it (and watch out for 'late' notice regarding Food tech lessons).

[Baby_Sham]

Haha that's *exactly* what my son is like! He'll ask me in the morning "why am I not going in non school uniform?" I'm like... "er...... because you never told me!!"

:-)

[sherrardk]

I've got that covered now, I am friends with people who have girls in the same year who tell me when stuff is happening I should know about.

[Baby_Sham]

Hmm, that could take a while. By the time I 'make friends' with other parents, it's time for them to leave the school... lol

[Jeza]

I thought stationary meant stood still, not moving.

[hc4361]

Jeza, I didn't like to mention it but cArs can be stationAry whilst papEr is always stationEry, unless it's been made in to a paper plane :)

[hc4361]

Baby Sham, I bet the school secretary is at work. Phone on Tuesday and ask her advice.

[Baby_Sham]

*Deletes hc from best answer*

:P

[Maydup]

E for envelopes, that's how I remember it.

[Baby_Sham]

Envelopes? I need envelopes too??? :-)