Must-Have 2023 Back To School Stationery

Back-to-school season is upon us and this means one thing: it’s time to stock up on essential stationery items. While your kids might be dreading going back to school, the right stationery will make the return to learning a little easier and keep them motivated as they take on the new school year. From all of the basics to creative tools of expression, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to this year’s must-have back-to-school stationery that every student needs in their bag. 

Lined Notebooks

Younger students will likely have exercise books provided by their teachers, but lined notebooks are arguably one of the most essential items of back to school stationery if your children need to provide their own note-taking devices. A lot can happen in a school year so opt for notebooks with durable covers and properties that can withstand some serious wear and tear. Our Rite In The Rain side spiral notebooks are a great place to start, with fully waterproof paper that will survive even the most disastrous water bottle leak!

Pencils & Pens

Pretty much every classroom subject relies on having writing instruments like pencils and pens. From taking notes to solving maths problems, a trusty pen or pencil is a must and your kids will go through a remarkable amount throughout the academic year. Different types are great for different subjects so think about what your children need. Mechanical pencils are great for mathematics and technology, waterproof pens are perfect for learning outdoors, and you cannot go wrong with a ballpoint pen for neat writing.

Planner

If your children are starting or heading back to secondary school, a physical planner will be an invaluable tool. Secondary school life is busy, and with clubs, homework and parental permission to manage on an often day-to-day basis, a well-structured planner can help students say organised by keeping a physical record of what they need to do. You’ll want to pick a planner that will survive in a school bag for the whole academic year like our waterproof spiral calendar. 

Glue Stick

Although often forgotten, a glue stick is an essential piece of back to school stationery. Not just for crafts, glue sticks are great for a diverse range of learning activities and group cut-and-stick exercises. When students have their own glue sticks they can be certain that they can complete these kinds of projects with ease without having to share a dried-up glue stick with the rest of the class.

Ruler

A ruler might seem like a simple tool, but it’s also one of the most important stationery items for returning back to school. Being able to draw straight lines will help students keep their work and titles neat and take accurate measurements during mathematics or science classes. 

Highlighters

Highlighters are a particularly important back-to-school stationery item for visual learners. Being able to take clear notes is a valuable skill and these bright pens are perfect for emphasising key points and making distinctions between topics clear. They are also valuable revision tools. Although exams might seem like a distant event in the first few weeks back, highlighters can be used to signpost and review information on paper or flashcards as effective pre-exam learning.  

Colouring Pencils 

Last but certainly not least, kitting a pencil case out with a good set of colouring pencils is the perfect way to make learning fun. Colour can make even the most detailed notes engaging, and of course, helps budding artists refine their craft. Day-to-day, a small set of colouring pencils is all that is really needed, but a larger set will really get the creative juices flowing.