Making sure your children have everything they need to start school or return after the holidays takes a lot of planning. You’ve no doubt been busy purchasing uniforms, P.E. kits, rucksacks, and textbooks, but have you considered their pencil case and stationery requirements? What they must bring depends on the Stage they are in, and if they are moving up to a different Stage, they will most likely require new Stationery and equipment.
So, where to begin? We have compiled a list of suggestions regarding what each Stage may require.
We always recommend that you check with your school to double-check their specific requirements, as they can vary from school to school.
Stage 1 / Ages 5-7 required the following Stationery
Plain paper
Exercise books
Pencil case
Pencil set
Colouring pencils
Colouring pens
Glue stick
Ruler
Scissors
Rubber
Because this age group involves a lot of group work, play, discussions, and hands-on projects, your child is unlikely to need to bring a pencil case or Stationery to school. It’s a good idea to check with your school ahead of time to see what they expect. However, most schools will expect children to complete homework and learn at home, so there are a few items to keep around the house. Keep in mind that some teachers prefer to see your child’s corrections rather than erasing them, so it may be helpful to keep the rubber for drawing only at first and encourage your child to put a line through mistakes on their homework instead.
The essentials are pencils, a ruler, a rubber, colouring pencils, and a sharpener, but a glue stick, scissors, and colouring pens and paints are also useful for hands-on projects and rainy days. Remember that some teachers prefer to see your child’s corrections rather than erasing them, so at first, keep the rubber for drawing only and encourage your child to draw a line through mistakes on their homework instead.
Choose Stationery that is colourful, themed, and fun for your child to use. It will make school and homework more enjoyable for them if they look forward to taking out and using their colourful pens and pencils.
Stage 2 / Ages 7-11 required the following Stationery.
In addition to the items required for Stage 1, you will now need the following for Stage
Pencil -sharpener
Rollerball pens
Handwriting pens
Calculator
Basic maths set
Stage 2 will include a lot of hands-on projects and tabletop learning. For writing, children will switch from pencils to pens, and they may require a basic calculator for math. Most schools provide a list of items your child will need and may specify a specific brand or model of calculator or pen, so double-check before purchasing anything.
A Stage 2 pencil case may benefit from coloured, rollerball, and handwriting pens, as well as a calculator and protractor for maths, in addition to all of the basic Stationery from Stage 1.
Stage 3 / Ages 11-14
To supplement your stationery collection from the first two stages, here is what you’ll need to begin Stage 3 :
Scientific calculator
Paper clips
Highlighters
Fountain pen
Post-it notes
Diary
Ring binder
Plastic wallets
USB stick
Stapler
Staples
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Your child will begin writing essays and revising for mock exams during Stage 3. Because there will be a lot of tabletop learning, pencil cases should be stuffed with basic Stationery from the previous two Stages and items like highlighters and fountain pens. This Stationery will also be helpful for essay writing and revision, as will various other organisational tools such as ring binders, plastic wallets, paper clips, stapler, hole punch, post-it notes, and a diary. In addition, A4 notebooks are likely required for lessons, and a dictionary and thesaurus, as well as USB, sticks to store their work, may be helpful while writing essays.
Stage 4 / Ages 14-16
And in your final Stage, you will also need:
Page markers
Revision notes
We have all essential back to school for all stages
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