While the back-to-school rush may seem distant, if you want to avoid the last-minute hunt for their elusive pencil case or endangered coach (we’ve all been there), then line up the kids ducks could now make all the difference.
Luckily, there are plenty of familiar brands and retailers offering back-to-school essentials, from stationery and school shoes to backpacks, lunch boxes and more. And the very good news? There are many for sale.
Whether it’s a laptop to help with homework and revision notes, their first pair of school shoes, or a reusable water bottle to keep them hydrated and cut down on plastic, finding what you need should be simple and hopefully quite affordable too.
From Amazon’s back to school deals to Rymans, Paperchase and WHSmiths, we’ve also spotted deals on Kickers, Eastpak, Puma, Nike and more.
You do not know where to start ? We offer you an overview of the offers to spot before the new mandate.
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Stationery store
Paperchase A4 white-leaf lever arch file: Was £7, now £3.50, Paperchase.com
For organizing exam notes or keeping homework neat and wrinkle-free, a larger ring binder can really come in handy – and it can’t hurt if it looks nice too. Boasting a fun gold polka dot pattern, this A4 option from Paperchase is currently half price.
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Oxford Campus A4 Notebook: Was £12.79, now £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
Now with over 20% off, tick the new notebooks off the list with these Oxford Campus Three-Line Notebooks. Each is filled with 70 sides (140 pages) which can be used on both sides thanks to the high quality paper – great for note taking, reviewing exams and, let’s face it, a bit of doodling, they have margins practical and holes to add pages to their ring binder.
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Sharpie neon XL highlighters: Was £5.65, now £2.50, Amazon.co.uk
Highlighters are a pencil case mainstay and this pink, yellow, green and orange multi-pack is over 50% off. Ideal for review sessions and taking notes in class, they dry quickly and are also odorless. For £2.50 we’d have them taken clean.
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Casio FX-83GTX Calculator: Was £17.99, now £11.99, Ryman.co.uk
Shopping for an old math whiz? Designed for key stages three and four (which tend to be when students take their GCSEs) through to higher education, this calculator is a solid investment if they are also planning to take maths further. The sliding case should protect it while the batteries are included, which is handy. Add it to your cart while it’s over 30% off.
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WHSmith School Maths Assortment of Colors in Clear Case: Was £7.99, now £3.99, Whsmith.co.uk
The home of all stationery, WHSmiths has a host of half-price school essentials, like this math set for milestones three and four. Housed in a clear case, the collection includes a compass, mechanical pencil, protractor, ruler and more – although it’s worth noting that WHSmiths can’t specify whether you’ll receive a pink, blue or completely clear case. .
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Paperchase colorama turquoise pencil case: Was £5, now £3, Paperchase.com
Featuring a bright and funky theme, this case is sure to stand out in the classroom – which means, in theory, it should be harder to lose (hopefully). Pretty in turquoise, it measures 12cm x 20cm – make sure all their pens, rubbers etc. will fit in before you buy. And for just £3, you can’t go wrong.
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Rex London Space Age Pencil Case: Was £8, now £6.40, Ocado.com
Rex London is an IndyBest favorite for kids’ essentials, and this rocket-embellished pencil case is 20% off. Wrapped in waxed canvas, the design should be easy to clean, while the practical size shouldn’t be too bulky – perfect for overstuffed backpacks.
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Technology
Lenovo 100E gen 2 intel celelron N4020 chromebook: was £237.97 now £119.97, Laptopsdirect.co.uk
If you’re thinking of investing in a laptop for older kids, this Chromebook from Lenovo is particularly affordable right now at £118 off. Touted as sturdy yet lightweight, it packs 4GB of RAM, and to prevent damage and spills, it has bumpers and a spill-resistant keyboard. It also survives for 10 hours on a single charge, which would be perfect for taking it to school or college for the day.
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Shoes and accessories
On the border between fashion and functionality, Eastpak backpacks are a true classic. With padded shoulder straps for comfort, this iteration feels big enough for books and supplies, with a handy zippered pocket for phones, lunch cards and other essentials. Courtsey of Sports Direct, it’s almost 30% off.
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Little ones are out of shoes in a heartbeat, so outfit them for less with these Leather Lace-Up Kickers while they’re almost 30% off. Ideal for school and with extra grip thanks to a steep sole, they are also padded for extra comfort. If the sale ends, Sports Direct’s back to school deals are worth a look, with savings on school shoes, trainers and more.
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Too cool for bright colors, monsters and unicorns? Here’s a simple lunch box they’ll actually use. With a simple black design, it features handles and a roomy interior for storing snacks, sarnies and bottles, while the bag itself is lined with foil to keep the contents fresh – and that’s now. half price.
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Keep them hydrated in the classroom while reducing plastic with a reusable water bottle like this. Due to House of Fraser’s sale prices, the bottle of Karrimor has been reduced to just five cents, while the pink or clear iteration costs a bit more, at £6.99 – either way, that’s a real flight.
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Puma Essentials Story Pack Women’s Training Bag: Was £30, now £15, Puma.com
While their kit bag has seen better days, Puma’s barrel bag is now half price. Made with at least 20% recycled materials, it’s big but wearable so they’ll really want to use it, while the design features the familiar Puma branding on a star motif – if they’re not a fan of sparkles, it There’s a similar option in turquoise with the same discount too (£15, Puma.com).
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John Lewis Kids Monster Print Backpack, Blue: Was £18, now £9, Johnlewis.com
With its eye-catching print and colorful handles, this monster backpack should at least be easy to spot before morning runs, and it’s currently priced under £10. With convenient zippers and an inside name tag, the straps are adjustable for a more comfortable fit whether carrying snacks, water bottles or school supplies. To go matchy matchy, this monster lunchbox is also half price (was £14, now £7, Johnlewis.com).
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Discount Codes
For the latest discounts on children’s clothing, stationery and other essentials, try the links below:
From M&S to Aldi, read our guide to online school uniform stores to know