Back to School Sales: Our Top Picks

It’s that time of year again, the end of the summer holidays are on the horizon and it’s time for parents and children to prepare for going back to school in September.

Making sure children have everything they need can be an expensive time. Parents are estimated to spend £145 billion on back to school shopping every year.

But it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Many large retailers have special offers to make the annual spending spree that little bit easier.

Before we get into our favourite picks, here is a handy list of retailers who are currently running promotions:

We’ll update this post with more bargains as we find them. 

Whether your child is going back to primary school, or to study for GCSEs, there is a lot to buy! So we’ve spent the week trawling the web for the best prices on back to school equipment, uniform and stationery.
Skip to sections:
School Uniform & ClothingSchool StationerySchool Laptops & TabletsSchool BagsBack to School Advice

School Uniform & Clothing

Buying school uniform is probably top of the parents’ list. Kids seem to grow a tremendous amount over the summer holidays and last years’ clothes are starting to become a little worn.

We’ve trawled websites, reviews and forums to bring you the best cheap school uniform.

Tesco

The F&F range from Tesco gives you a full school uniform from £8.50. You can buy online or in store. Don’t forget to use your Tesco Clubcard to rack up some extra points.

Girls

• Girls Cardigan from £4
• Girls Shirts from £3.50
• Girls Shoes from £8
• Girls Skirts from £3

Boys

• Boys Sweatshirts from £3.00
• Boys Shirts from £4.50
• Boys Shoes from £18
• Boys Trousers from £4

Aldi

Aldi has an amazing offer of a full uniform from £3.69! It’s available to buy in-store or online from early July. This promotion is likely to sell out fast.

Girls

• Girls’ Polo Shirts 2 Pack: £ 1.25
• Girls’ Pleated Skirt: £1.50
• Children’s Round Neck Sweater: £0.94
• Girls’ Scuff Resistant Shoes: £6.99

Boys

• Boys’ Polo Shirts 2 Pack: £ 1.25
• Boys’ Trousers: £1.50
• Children’s Round Neck Sweater: £0.94
• Boys’ Scuff Resistant Formal Shoes: £6.99

Debenhams

Debenhams has a wide selection of school clothing and some very reasonable prices – get up to 20% off selected items, there is a 50% off sale on too.

Girls

• Girls Blouses & Shirts from £4.80
• Girls Jumpers & Cardigans from £4
• Girls Shoes & Boots from £11.20
• Girls Dresses & Skirts from £4.50

Boys

• Boys Jumpers & Cardigans from £4
• Boys Shirts & Polo Shirts from £4.80
• Boys Shoes & Boots from £12.80
• Boys Trousers & Shorts from £4.20

Asda

Asda is offering a full school uniform from £7 online and in stores. Click and collect is free.

 

Girls

• Girls Cardigans & Jumpers from £4
• Girls Polo Shirts from £2.50
• Girls Shoes & Trainers from £9
• Girls Skirts from £3

Boys

• Boys Cardigans & Jumpers from £2
• Boys Polo Shirts from £2.50
• Boys Shoes & Trainers from £16
• Boys Trousers from £3

Tips for Buying School Uniform

1. Check school requirements – Make sure to read the guidelines from the head teacher.
2. Size them up – Most online shops have size guides on their websites, measure your child up before buying online.
3. Buy a little bigger – If you have to choose, go for the bigger size – they will soon grow into it!
4. Look for the best deals – Many retailers will be launching their seasonal promotions in the next few weeks.

School Stationery

New stationery is also a must. Check what your children have left over from last year and make a list of what’s missing. Here is a selection of some of the cheapest school stationery deals on the web.

Amazon

You can’t go wrong with Amazon for ticking off your shopping list quickly. With such a wide variety of products, you could potentially do all of your school shopping here in one go!

They have 1000s of back to school products on offer. Including, pens and pencils, files and folders, diaries and calendars, notebooks and pencil cases.

Bonus – if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber then you’ll get super fast delivery and as well as music and video streaming services.

View Prices

 

Tesco

They stock most popular brands and you can buy in-store or online. Their back to school campaign is already live.

Multipacks of highlighters and pens and are reasonably priced.
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Poundland

Poundland are offering cheap stationery items, all for £1!

Folders and plastic wallets are a bargain at Poundland.

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WHSmith

WHSmith has a clearance sale on every summer, with a lot of products under £1.

Not a retailer to compete on price but we can voucher for their quality.

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The Works

Another bargain stationery store with some of the cheapest prices available. They have some attractive pen and pencil sets for £1.

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Staples

Although not the cheapest, Staples have a range of quality office products that are also perfect for school.

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Tips for Buying School Stationery

1. Check the subjects  – there may be some specialist equipment needed for certain lessons. This is especially important for those studying for GCSEs or A-Levels.
2. All-in-one packages – Bundled products can be convenient and bring the price down somewhat. Just check it has everything they need and not a collection of things they don’t!
3. Ask their preference – Unlike school uniform which is fairly standard, ask your child if they have any preference for stationery. They’re more likely to use it if they like it.
4. Shop around – If you’re buying online, check the postage to make sure it’s still cost effective. Larger basket sizes will reduce costs on delivery.

School Laptops & Tablets

Teachers often have a pool of technology equipment for pupils to loan but you may wish to get them their own for homework. We’ve picked out some the best deals for laptops and tablets below.

Asus X555LA 15.6-Inch Notebook

This popular laptop is a bestseller on Amazon. With excellent cooling abilities, a long-lasting battery and Asus Eyecare, it’s perfect for those long study hours.

Specs

• Windows 10
• Intel Core i3
• 4GB Ram
• 1 TB Hard Drive

It’s currently on offer for £256 (limited stock).

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Lenovo Ideapad 100-15IBY 15.6-inch Notebook

This budget laptop uses the same processor as some of the more expensive Lenovo models, (including G50) so it’s good value for money for sure.

Specs

• Windows 10
• Intel Celeron
• 4GB Ram
• 500Gb Hard Drive

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Lenovo Ideapad 100S 11.6-Inch HD Laptop

This red laptop oozes appeal with its stylish shape and compact form factor. Slightly smaller on screen size and power but a bargain.

Specs

• Windows 10
• Intel Atom
• 2GB Ram
• 32GB SSD

Specs

• Windows 10
• Intel Atom
• 2GB Ram
• 32GB SSD

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ASUS UX305FA 13.3-Inch ZENBOOK

Down from nearly £900 to £555, it’s a great buy for those looking for a little more from their laptop.

 

Specs

• Windows 10
• Intel Core M
• 8GB RAM
• 128 GB SSD

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Apple MacBook Pro

If your child is an Apple fan then the MacBook Pro is the flagship model. Unfortunately, it’s quite pricey. For that price, however, you get a retina display, Mac OSX EI Captain and a lot of styles.

Specs

• Mac OSX
• Intel Core i5
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB Flash Storage

Here are 3 of the cheapest we could find.

View Prices - Amazon View Prices - John Lewis View Prices - Argos

 

Acer C910 Chromebook

Chromebooks are based on an up and coming operating system called ChromeOS from Google. You do get a lot for your money with this model but you may find that you’re limited on software choices.

 

Specs

• ChromeOS
• Intel Celeron
• 4GB RAM
• 16GB SSD

View Prices - Amazon View Prices - Laptops Direct

 

Microsoft Office 2016

The Office productivity suite is used in schools for most subjects and students are already quite familiar with it. From writing essays with Word, analysing science data with Excel to taking class notes with OneNote – this is an essential buy.

There are two purchasing options for Microsoft Office:

Standalone Licence – This is a one-time fee for the latest version. You can run it on your PC with no hidden costs. However you won’t get the cloud features or upgrades to future releases

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Office 365 – A monthly/annual fee from Microsoft that gives you a subscription license for Office. It comes with a range of cloud apps and email facilities too.

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Tips for Buying Laptops for School

1. Apple Mac or Microsoft Windows? – This is often one of the first questions to ask. Windows is more popular and is usually the most widely compatible but if your child is used to a Mac, then that is usually a more expensive choice.
2. Check hardware – Processing power, memory and disk space all play a part in the performance of a computer. Ideally you will need at least 4GB Memory, a Dual-Core Processor and 500GB of disk space.
3. Fashion – Tech has taken on a fashion trend of its own, functionality is key but you may wish to consider your childs preference here too.
4. Shop around – If you’re looking for a bargain, check out sites like Ebay and Gumtree for used offers.

School Bag Reviews

A decent school bag most likely features on the school equipment list. With all those heavy books and notes to carry around, it’s important to invest in a good quality model that will take the load off a weary pupil’s back.

We’ve reviewed the best cheap school bags on offer to save you some legwork.

BagBase Heritage Backpack / Rucksack

This stylish but affordable backpack is a big hit on Amazon. With 596 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars, it’s a safe purchase. The retro minimal design will be popular in and outside of school.

Features

• Retro design
• Internal Pockets
• 18 Litres
• Padded Straps

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Vans Old Skool II Backpack

Vans is a popular brand, known for style and quality. This classic ‘old skool’ backpack is basic but won’t be out going out of fashion any time soon.

Features

• One main compartment
• 22 litre capacity
• Front zip pouch

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HotStyle TrendyMax Galaxy Pattern Vintage Style

If your child is looking for something a bit more exciting, this HotStyle is proving popular. The eclectic design really makes it standout and is surely going to be a hit with the kids this year.

Features

• Main compartment with front pocket
• Water bottle pouch
• 4 x 16.5 x 6.7 inches

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Mi-Pac Navy star print backpack

This Mi-Pac bag from Debenhams is classy and traditional. It’s a real hit but there are some concerns about how water resistant it is.

Features

• Zip pocket
• Internal pouch
• Rip tape pouch

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Red Herring Black zip backpack

This chic looking handbag is great for the girls who don’t want to carry around a full backpack. It goes well with almost anything, including school uniform.

Features

• One internal zip pocket, one internal pouch
• Two adjustable shoulder straps
• Magnetic popper fastening

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Despicable Me Yellow ‘Minion’ embossed backpack

Minions are a great hit with the kids and you will be too if you buy your little ones this. Ideal for younger children who don’t need to carry too much to school.

Features

• Cute

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School Bags and Lunchbox Tips

1. Go for quality – Carrying heavy books around from class to class can be tiresome. Look for a strong and sturdy bag with adjustable straps and padding.
2. Size – Something in the range of 10-20 litres should suffice. Also check laptop screen sizes will fit inside.
3. Look around – Bags are best purchased new and a quality one can last a couple of years if cared for properly. They can be a surprisingly large investment so as always, choose a model then check various sites for the cheapest price.

Back to School Shopping Checklist

If you’re stuck for what to buy for your children, our handy checklist may give you some ideas.

Going Back to School – Advice for Parents

Here are some tips for preparing for the new school term in September.

Shop around – With many retailers offering discounts at this time of year there are plenty of options. Have a look online at the major retailers’ websites for the best deals.

Motivate – Your children may be nervous about the starting term time, especially if it’s their first year in primary or secondary school. Reassure them and encourage them.

Mark the Calendar – You may have already received a plan for the up and coming term and key dates in the educational calendar. Mark your calendar with dates for exams, school trips and open days.

Prepare lunches – If you’ve opted out of school dinners and decided to go for packed lunches. Plan your meals ahead. Maybe buy a school lunch cookbook or look online for some free recipes.

You are their favourite teacher – Most kids like nothing more than learning from their parents. You know them best so help with homework and revision.

Use name labels – There’s nothing more frustrating than children losing bags and uniform. Buy a cheap label maker to help with lost property.

Check for head lice – Children often pick up head lice when going back to school, this Nitty Gritty Comb will help.

Cheap Treats for Parents

With all this talk about buying new things for children, we thought it would be unfair to leave out some deals for the parents. After a long hard summer of entertaining, giving pocket money and dealing with tantrums – you deserve a break!

Take advantage of the extra time you will get back and treat yourself to a spa pamper day or a cheap getaway.

Good Luck!

So there you have it, our ultimate parents’ guide to going back to school. Hopefully it was helpful and you picked up a few bargains along the way. We will continue to update this article over the course of summer 2016 so you don’t need to go searching out the best deals. Make sure to subscribe via email so you don’t miss out on future updates!