🎒 The Ultimate Back to School Guide 2025

Back to school season is here (didn’t we just finish the last term!?) and whether it’s your little one’s first day, or you’ve got teens rolling their eyes throughout GCSE prep, the annual chaos of uniforms, labels and lunch boxes has returned.

We’re here to help you skip the stress and keep your budget on track. We’ve pulled together your back to school essential shopping list, added in tips to make the morning easier, and wrapped it all up with Kids Pass discounts on must-haves like shoes and school gear.

Let's get you guys September ready - and save along the way!

🛍️ Back to School Shopping List

Don’t underestimate how quickly kids get through clean clothes - or how easily they misplace things. Tick these off and thank yourself later!

✅ Uniform Essentials

• School shirts (get at least 5 – one for each day!)
• Trousers, skirts or pinafores
• Jumpers/cardigans (name tags = essential!)
• Blazers (check your school dress code)
• PE kit: t-shirts or polo shirts, shorts, joggers, trainers
• Socks/tights (trust us, you will need those)
• School coat (waterproof and warm!)

✅ Footwear & Extras

• School shoes (polished & labelled!)
• Trainers or football boots for PE
• Wellies for soggy school runs
• Name labels for EVERYTHING
• Hair ties, clips or headbands
• School bag with compartments
• Raincoat or foldable waterproof jacket

👟 Claim 15% off full-price Kickers items

Classic school shoes = sorted.

Avg. saving: £15

✅ Stationary Staples

Even if they swear they don’t need anything, this list says otherwise:

• Pencil case
• Pencils, pens, ruler
• Sharpener, rubber, highlighters
• Glue sticks & scissors
• Notebooks and subject folders
• Calculator (double check the required model for secondary)

🛍️ Save More on the Basics:

🧥 Claim 10% off full-price items at Matalan

Great for school clothes and stationery all in one place.

Online only | Average saving: £20

✅ School Lunch Non-Negotiables!

Make lunch something they actually look forward to.

• Leak-proof lunch box
• Reusable water bottle
• Ice blocks for packed lunches
• Cutlery set for older kids
• Snack tubs or bento-style boxes

🥪 Claim 4% off at M&S

Perfect for stylish lunch boxes and back to school bits.

Online | Instant e-codes

🥗 Healthy School Lunches (They’ll Actually Eat 😂)

Tired of untouched sandwiches and brown bananas? Here are a few quick, parent-approved options that might just come home finished:

• Mini pasta pots (with pesto or tomato)
• Wraps – chicken & cheese, falafel & hummus
• Homemade Lunchables – crackers, cheese, ham, cherry tomatoes
• Yoghurt tubes + fresh fruit
• Veg sticks + dip pots (carrot, cucumber, red pepper)
• Treat idea: a homemade flapjack or a couple of mini rice cakes

💡 Pro tip: Keep everything bite-sized and colourful. Bento-style lunch boxes are a game changer for picky eaters.

💸 How to Save Money on Back to School Essentials

Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to broke. With a Kids Pass membership, you can unlock these discounts at top UK retailers - and save BIG on the essentials

👕 Matalan – 10% off full price

🧃 M&S – 4% off with instant e-codes

👟 Kickers – 15% off school shoes

✔️ All offers available in the Kids Pass app!

👉 Savings based on 2 adults + 2 children. Offers subject to availability.

🕒 Final Back to School Tips (That Make Mornings Easier!)

Here are a few tips from the team that we swear by - because no one wants to start the term with a meltdown (parent or child)

• “If you can, buy patent shoes as they seem to be tougher! You’re also likely to need more t-shirts and trousers than you think you need. And check if the water bottle is leak proof.” - Abigail
• “If you walk to school, and you’ve got dogs, 2 birds with one stone right there! Put shoes, bags and coats all by the front door the night before. Get up 30 mins before the kids, give yourself time to eat, grab a brew etc before the madness kicks in. And breakfast in PJs always saves last minute outfit changes from butter toast, milk spills etc.”- Sean
• “Love laying out clothes the night before, we always do that! Iron free shirts, is that a hack? 😂” - Elinor
• “We use a weekly clothes organiser and put what they need for the week in there. Helps them to be more independent and to learn the days of the week. The only other thing I can think of is if you're leaving at say 8am... aim to leave the door for 7.50am and I guarantee it'll be 8am!” - Adam

🍂 Your Smoothest September Yet Starts with Kids Pass

You’ve got the list. You’ve got the tips. And now, you’ve got the savings.

Download the Kids Pass app, redeem your exclusive Back to School offers, and start the term feeling prepped, calm and totally on top of things.

🎟️ Open the app

🛍️ Redeem your Back to School offers

🎒 Start the term strong — and spend smart

Because a great school year starts with a great start ✏️🚌