Starting secondary school - what does she need?

balletshoes

mum26 wrote: »

Surely they will have given out a list at one of the open evenings or is it on the website / prospectus?

nope, not in our school's case.

suki1001

I find it odd she wasn't given a list. We were given one for my daughter and the school has a section on it's website that says everything that they'll need too.

Bear in mind it's possible the school might sell stationary too and at a fraction of the price. My daughters school sells it far cheaper than anywhere else presumably because they buy in bulk and sell at cost.

balletshoes

Eliza she might get a list when she actually starts school - so you might be out again with her next weekend getting any bits you didn't get the first time round .

moneypuddle

Also strange to me that she wasn't given a list? I thought that was quite standard. Is there anything on the school website? Can you ask a friend?

peachyprice

I don't think it's that unusual, we didn't get a list either.

Blackpool_Saver

Schools vary a lot, I think you can tell which will be best by the way they start off

jackyann

I suggest a small notebook, with pages that easily tear out, which will fit in a blazer pocket, shirt pocket, or a handy pocket at the front of the bag.
Inside, stick a few Post-It type stickies. Plus a pen (or best of all, one of those cheap colourful propelling pencils they have at Paperchase) that will sit in the pocket easily as well.
If she wants to jot something down to help remember, it saves having to get out the large pad of paper. She can check through it at the end of the day or in the morning to make sure she has remembered everything.

(This, by the way, is the way I survived my early nursing days as well as school!)

folkestonelisa

My daughter is off to secondary too next week and i've had this week off work to go shopping.
Reading the comments i've realised that there are a few things she will still need. Not essentials as such but will need (didnt think about the small bag she will need for her "bits" for school)

So thanks all and keep them coming (mind you after £250 on uniform :eek: i'm skint)

Bufger

Personally i'd go with:

Pencil case with pens/pencils and all the usual
30 and 60 degree Set square, protractor compass
scientific calculator
A4 lined pad
A4 graph pad

That should be a good start. If they have to get their own books etc you'll be notified within the first week so it wont be an issue.

thegirlintheattic

Don't buy a calculator until term starts - most schools require a certain one.

No need for notebooks or the like at this point. Most first years don't use them - if they need them they will be told.

Decent biros, colouring pencils, ruler, sharpener, rubber etc. Perhaps some plain paper and crafty stuff for home.