The UltimateBack To SchoolChecklist
New school term on the horizon? Let us help you prepare
It might seem like the school year just ended but before you know it, there’ll be a new one starting. And what better way to get parenting points than to get your kids kitted up nice and early?
Show their personality with colourful pencil cases and stationery, as well as kids' backpacks, water bottles, lunch boxes, school uniform and PE kit. We’ve got all the high-quality kidswear you need to start the year off on the right foot.
Back To SchoolIn Style
That first term can be a daunting prospect for kids and parents alike. But it needn’t be. With a bit of forward planning and a few deep breaths, this exciting new chapter can be the fun, momentous event it should be. First things first, though: read and re-read the school’s uniform policy.
Ask parents with children already at the school for tips and tricks. Do they start the autumn term in summer uniform? Can reception pupils wear polo shirts rather than formal school shirts? Do they need a tie to begin with?
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 boys' school trousers and three to five boys' school shirts and girls' school shirts.
And did you know, we've frozen our uniform prices for the 3rd year in a row?
John Lewis Girls' Box Pleat Tunic
£12.00£6.00
New Season,New Uniform
It may be all fun and games right now – but pretty soon your kids will need all the layers they can get. Think about that nice and early: invest in boys' school coats and girls' school coats and lesson-appropriate boys' school jumpers and girls' school jumpers that they'll be thankful for when the weather turns (which it will, without much warning).
The EssentialSports Kit
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 and we’ve got it all – from PE trainers and PE shorts to PE tops and PE joggers.
The BestSchool Shoes
School shoes are the one item you should hold off until as close as possible to the start of term to maximise your chance of getting a size that will see them through the whole school year.
Aim to either pop into store with the kids for a shoe fitting appointment or measure your child’s feet at home 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-ToSchool Accessories
Never overlook the trimmings such as girls' hair accessories, boys' school socks and girls' socks, girls' school tights and all those sort of bits and bobs. Get them sorted now and you’ll have one less thing to worry about come the start of term.
The All-ImportantAdded Extras
Now for the fun bit: all those essentials that allow kids to stamp their own style on school life. You’ve done the hard slog with the uniform, now let them have some fun selecting the rest.
From pencil cases and pens to notebooks and water bottles, they are free to express themselves however they wish. And some schools require certain bits of tech, so look out for that too. Now all that’s left is to add those all-important school labels – sew or iron them in if you have time, if not there’s always the trusty name marker pen. Either way, job done. Happy new term!
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.
