As summer draws to a close, it’s that time of year when families begin to prepare for the upcoming school term. Whether your child is starting a new school or heading into a new year, having the right stationery is key to helping them stay organised and focused. School items often wear out or go missing during the year, so it's a good idea to refresh supplies at the beginning of each term.
With such a wide variety of school supplies available, choosing the right ones can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a list of affordable, practical, and essential school stationery items to help your child start the year prepared and confident.
Every student needs a good pen. Ballpoint pens are ideal for everyday use because they are affordable, long-lasting, and do not leak like fountain pens. Stock up on blue and black pens for standard writing tasks and include a red pen or two for corrections and editing. Having multiple colours can also help with organising notes and improving memory through visual cues.
Pencils are perfect for rough work, sketches, and notes. A pack of HB pencils is suitable for most classroom tasks. If your child is not enrolled in an art course, there is usually no need for a large pack of coloured pencils. However, coloured pencils may be useful for occasional projects or diagrams.
Mistakes are a natural part of learning, which makes a reliable rubber a necessary item in any pencil case. Some pencils come with small erasers on the end, but these tend to wear out quickly. A separate, good-quality eraser will last longer and is more effective, especially for detailed or artistic work.
Pencil sharpeners often get overlooked, but they are essential for maintaining sharp pencil tips. A manual sharpener is easy to use and compact enough to fit in a pencil case. Double-hole sharpeners are especially useful for children who use both standard and jumbo-sized pencils.
Rulers are required in a variety of subjects, from underlining in English to drawing graphs in maths. A standard 30cm ruler is best for most tasks, but a smaller 15cm ruler can be more convenient for pencil cases. Choose a ruler that is durable and has clearly printed measurements.
Highlighting text helps students pick out important information and makes studying more effective. A small pack of colourful highlighters can be a fun and functional addition to any school bag. They are especially helpful for older students during revision sessions or when reading long passages of text.
Without a pencil case, stationery items are more likely to get lost. Choose a case that is spacious enough to hold all essential items like pens, pencils, sharpeners, and rulers. Secondary school students may need a clear pencil case during exam periods, so it is worth having one available from the start of the term.
Younger students may only need a basic pocket calculator, while secondary school students studying more advanced maths will require a scientific calculator. Make sure the calculator meets your school’s requirements to avoid any issues during lessons or exams.
A notepad is useful for taking rough notes, solving problems, or planning assignments. An A5 project book with dividers can help students organise their notes by subject. Keeping rough work in a separate notebook helps maintain clean and tidy exercise books.
As more coursework is completed on computers, a USB stick is a must-have. It allows students to save their assignments and transfer files between school and home. To reduce the chance of it being lost, look for a USB drive that can be attached to a keyring or pencil case.
Being prepared for the school year ahead begins with having the right tools. These essential stationery items will help your child stay organised, productive, and focused on their learning. From basic pens and pencils to a reliable calculator and USB drive, each item on this list plays an important role in academic success. Shop early to get the best selection and prices, and make sure your child is ready to start the term with everything they need.
