Back to School Haul 2023: Must-Have Supplies for Busy UK Mums

[@weflyyofcourse9110]

I think it's crazy the amount of stuff that 11 year olds have to carry around in those bags for secondary school, bless them, my son goes up next year and his bag will be bigger than him! You've got some lovely things there and that school stationery/calculator set is a godsend for a scatter-brained mother like me so thank you for this video :)

[@theapplelearningtree]

The back strap on William’s bag is to slip it on a suitcase handle!

[@MummyofFourUK]

Ahhh, yes, it seems so obvious now 😂

[@phoebebuffay2385]

I use your folder system for my oldest who started senior school last September stuff is mainly online now but she knows to put paperwork in the folders 😉😉😉life saver!

[@proudof224]

This is the 4th year I watch your back to school videos and let me tell you that I absolutely love them. Please keep them coming ❤

[@dariusmarcuart777]

I love my preference set math❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@RD0204]

Heads up on the calculator; some schools insist upon one brand/ model of scientific calculator because then they only need to teach one method so you might find the Helix one might not be allowed. If that is so you could keep it with his science bits since I don't recall ever using the 'scientific' functions of one in science. If you have to have a Casio calculator try and find a solar powered one so you don't have to worry about batteries dying on you at inopertune times. (like in the middle of a GCSE maths exam like a friend of mine experienced) I'd also keep the maths set in his maths folder since I had multiple broken protractors from keeping them in my main pencil case. I'd probably put the colouring pencils in the clear pencil case so they're separate from Will's regular stationary, or you could use them for any sketching pencils if you're later asked to get some so they can go in with his art bits and the softer ones aren't damaged from rattling around in his bag 24/7. I'd reconsider the popper wallets depending on what books he's given and the size of them as I found mesh zipper folders more sturdy for subjects that were constantly in my bag (my school worked on a 2 week timetable and one year I had maths only on week A fror some aubsurd reason so my maths folder was never out of my bag and popper folders wouldn't have lasted) or subjects that had more books or particularly heavy books. Plus you can buy "b4" size ones that are a bit bigger (my maths folder had 4 exersise books+ textbook that included a hardback A4 perfect bound notebook and they would not have fit in an A4 folder) I found the popper folders more useful for subjects we only had weekly (like music etc) or for punching with a hole punch to keep in a ringbinder so my science textbook didn't go AWOL or any unpunched handouts go missing. Whilst most schools have their own food tech/ HE policies regarding what equipment pupils provide, if they need to bring in ingredients or tea towels etc I always found it benefical to have a set of tea towels etc that are a different colour than the ones you normally use as the HE towels (same with dishcloths etc) so they can go directly in a tote bag/ shopping bag specifically for HE so there isn't a rush the night before to find them. The separate bag is also easy to stick in a locker/ the fridges in the classroom etc to avoid ingredients going missing. You can apply the same principals to school swimming lessons with towels etc. You can also buy "Rivetts" that are plastic riviets that peirce through a label and fabric to avoid sewing on labels. I use them a lot myself to create hanging loops on clothing, towels etc that don't have one so they can easily be hung up on doors/ hooks etc and not be damaged. I've used them with lengths of grosgrain ribbon that I sealed the ends off with a lighter so they can be used in conjuntion with stick on labels on hoodies or jumpers. I remember most of mu secondary uniform didn't have hanging loops so they'd have been useful then. Amazon sell them fairly cheaply.

[@karbear26]

I label all my daughter’s school supplies! My daughter’s 1st day of 8th grade she will be 14 in January is August 16th! It’s crunch time for me! She’s in honors math so she needed the expensive TI-84 plus graphing calculator that was $96 on sale! She won’t need another calculator for the rest of her schooling! I also bought a case for it for protection! I still need to sharpen pencils and label her new supplies and she needs pants 👖 ! She wanted to use the same back pack as last year so I need to sew the straps a little since her bag is so heavy with all her supplies in it plus chrome book!

[@lilyelle584]

I have never used the set squares etc and I’ve just completed my a levels he will only use the protractor and the compass

[@lucygale336]

Hi I got one goin into yr 10 and another mivin to ur 6 gosh crazy times flying by clear cases way forward for when they go into exams I've just got shoes left to get just before they go back 🙃

[@leannemummyto2]

My son starts secondary school this September too but they use an iPad and a school app for most of their homework and in class. I will be putting some folders in his bag though just in case great idea 😊

[@MummyofFourUK]

It’s good even if it’s only the act of packing folders that reminds the kids what they have the next day and is everything done (homework wise etc) before the class x

[@sineadburns5755]

The blue clear pencil case is handy for exams because that's the only pencil case you are allowed to take in with you.

[@ziggzziggz5221]

Don't worry about the calculator, the maths teacher will tell them which brand/type they need and it won't happen until later in the year. Don't forget Will, will need green pens for upmarking and highlighter pens. You and he will also have the app Classcharts for your phones, where his homework will be on and various other stuff, His version will be different to yours. All the kids in the school wear the Black Nike Air as school shoes.

[@lauraholloway6986]

Im in the states and this year my daughter's school gave all students complete school supplies and backpacks for free!! Shes my youngest of 4 and the only one still in school so better late than never but ill take it. She went back to school today.

[@ellashirley2925]

The semi circle thing is the protractor and no I never used a set square during GCSE maths

[@amberfranklin8382]

I started secondary school when I was in year 8 but that was in the 2000s

[@Natalie-yl5yr]

hooky thing attaches it to a suitcase handle when pulled up i believe...?

[@MummyofFourUK]

That makes sense, why couldn't I figure that out? 😂

[@doctordavidchan1044]

I started secondary school in 2014 and the amount of stuff you have to carry around is ridiculous. Oddly enough, I swear my primary school had one of the strictest uniform policies I've ever seen for a school with a polo shirt and sweatshirt uniform; we all had to have proper school shoes and socks from reception onwards. I'm going into my second year of uni in September and I still can't quite believe how much stuff you're expected to buy for school.

[@ezzg7503]

My eldest is going to Secondary school this time and the amount of equipment and uniform I've had to buy is unreal and so expensive. However, I made use of the your name tag discount so hopefully if anything is lost it will returned. Good luck to Will in his next chapter. Xx

[@MummyofFourUK]

Glad the discount helped xx

[@Sophscraftcorner]

My daughters school has to be have a specific brand and model scientific calculator so we couldn’t get that set

[@LisaRobinson-bk3yv]

You're videos are amazing hope you are all ok

[@Friftymumaof1]

Hello I am brand new to your channel ❤ wow your so organised xxx

[@johannagallagher5855]

Evening Rhi x

[@chailre07]

At my local secondary school you have to have a clear pencil case only.

[@anitamisnankin1955]

You might want to wait with the calculator since most teachers ask for a Casio one

[@violetstar26]

I’ve been getting those name tags since I seen your video 2 years ago. I have had two cardigans returned to me by parents thanks to a quick text

[@MummyofFourUK]

Oh I’m so glad that they have helped and that you got your things back x

[@lizrochester80]

The Encanto bag is half the size of poor ZaZa. 😅

[@MummyofFourUK]

Yep