The Ultimate Back-to-School Checklist

Editorial Team

New school term on the horizon? Let us help you prepare

It might seem like the school year only just ended but before you know it, there’ll be a new one starting. And what better way to feel on top of parenting admin than by getting your kids kitted out with their new uniform nice and early?

We’ve got all the high-quality kidswear – from school uniform essentials to PE kits – that you need to start the year off on the right foot. Plus, help the kids show their personalities with colourful pencil cases and stationery, as well as kids’ backpacks, water bottles and lunch boxes

Did you know that, as well as nailing new school uniforms and shoes, John Lewis offers free eye tests for kids? Regular eye tests help protect your child’s vision and the general health of their eyes, so it’s worth booking in annually. An eye test lasts around 30 minutes. Book yours now.

Back to school in-style

First things first: read and re-read the school’s uniform policy. If it’s your first term at a new school, ask parents with children already at the school for tips. Do they start autumn term in summer uniform? Can reception pupils wear polo shirts rather than school shirts? Do they need a tie?

Plimsolls or proper trainers? Backpack? If you’re shopping for a uniform for the first time, as a general rule, go for two or three school trousers and three to five boys’ school shirts or girls’ school shirts.

New season, new coat

It may be all outdoors fun right now, but pretty soon kids will need all the layers they can get. Invest in boys’ school coats or girls’ school coats and, of course, boys’ school jumpers and girls’ school jumpers that they’ll be thankful for when the weather turns (which is usually without much warning). 

The essential sports kits

It’s easy to overlook the all-important PE kit, but get this right and everyone will be happy come those soggy autumn days on the school field. Check before you buy, but most schools welcome pretty generic PE kit – we’ve got it all covered, from trainers and shorts to tops and joggers.

The best school shoes

School shoes are the one item you should hold off buying until as close as possible to the start of term; the aim is to maximise the chances of getting a size that will see fast-growing feet through the whole school year.

John Lewis offers free in-store shoe-fitting appointments for kids. If you’re buying online, use our handy guide to measuring your child’s feet at home. Try to sort shoes about three weeks before the beginning of term – leave it too late and many sizes will have sold out. 

In the meantime, explore our selection of boys’ school shoes and girls’ school shoes.

Go-to school accessories

Never overlook details such as girls’ hair accessories, boys’ school socks and girls’ socks and school tights. Get them sorted now and you’ll have one less thing to worry about come the start of term. 

 

The all-important added extras

You’ve done the hard slog with the uniform, now allow them the fun bit: stamping their own style on school life.

From pencil cases and pens to notebooks and water bottles, they can choose to express themselves however they wish. Some schools require certain bits of tech, so look out for that too.

Now all that’s left is to add those all-important name labels – sew or iron them in to clothes, or there’s always the trusty indelible marker pen. Job done. Happy new school year!

Look sharp

Did you know that as well as nailing new school uniforms and shoes, John Lewis offers free eye tests for kids? Regular eye tests help protect your child’s vision and the general health of their eyes, so it’s worth booking in annually. An eye test lasts around 30 minutes.

Book yours now.

At John Lewis we aim to build a happier future for young people in care. To find out more about our Building Happier Futures initiative, click here

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