BACK TO SCHOOL

Review - Some of the items in this post were gifted to us for the purpose of this post they are marked with a *

The summer holidays are close to an end and the new school year will soon be here. I've compiled this post with a mix of items we have purchased ourselves and items that we have been kindly gifted.  

Uniform can be really expensive, especially if you have to have certain items with the school logo on. My top tip for this - if your child's uniform still fits don't feel the need to buy new just because it's a new school year. For non logo related clothing we opt for supermarket brands as they are reasonably priced and great quality. Places like Marks and Spencers and Asda do adaptive school uniform items, which are ideal for children with additional needs.

You don't need an expensive coat. Usually we get a supermarket branded one, however in the past Blake has had a Regatta coat which was brilliant quality and would definitely buy from them again.

There is no denying that school shoes are expensive. We personally use Clark's shoes as they last Blake the longest compared to other brands we have tried. We prefer ones that have a toe bumper as well for this reason.

*Blade & Rose have recently released an eco friendly range of rucksacks (£18) and matching lunchboxes (£14) Currently available in 3 different designs: Frankie Lion, Maura Mouse and Highland Cow. Suitable for younger children these fun and colourful designs are great for back to nursery or school. They have been designed with comfort, durability and practicality in mind. Built to withstand year-round British weather, they have been made from waterproof recycled polyester, and feature adjustable padded shoulder straps to keep children comfy and happy all day long. The roomy rucksacks feature a main zipped compartment, a front zipped section for quick access items and a mesh side pocket for water bottles. 

*Ryman is a great brand who have an extensive range where you find the best deals on backpacks, notebooks, pens, and pencils to get your school year off to a great start. I was sent the Polar Gear insulated Lunchbox for Blake. This washable lunch bag features wadding insulation and 210 polyester lining. The convenient carry handle allows for easy transportation, complete with a secure zip closure.

Talking of lunches, for keeping food fresh on the go *WaxWrap are a great alternative to single-use plastic cling-film and allows food to breathe the way nature intended. Great for wrapping everything from sandwiches to snacks to fruit and keeping leftovers fresh in the fridge. It’s sustainable, reusable and at the end of its long and happy life it is completely compostable. Available in bags, wraps and unique roll format. Once used, WaxWrap can be washed using cold water and washing up liquid, then patted dry with a clean towel. They can be washed over and over and if used correctly should last for around a year. 

Another great item from Ryman is their *Personalised PE/ Gym Bag. Personalised with the name of your choice up to a maximum of 20 characters this bag is perfect for school or everyday use. Made from a high quality hessian this drawstring bag is suitable for PE kits, swimwear, packed lunch or simply your everyday essentials! Kids love having their name on something and this Personalised PE bag is no exception. 

If Harry Potter is your child's thing than there are a great range of products available. Take this *11 piece stationery set from B&M for £6 - you get : 

• 1 x A5 Notebook
• 1 x Pencil
• 1 x Pen
• 4 x Coloured Pencils
• 1 x Ruler
• 1 x Eraser
• 1 x Sharpener
• 1 x Pencil Tin

There is also this *Notebook and wand pen for £4.99 which is great for note taking. If you search Harry Potter on their website you can find lots of other school related products.

Other shops are also selling a wide range of Harry Potter products, for example Argos have this *Satchel pencil case (£7.50) designed to look like a Hogwarts satchel for school supplies. It has a handle for easy carrying, gold lettering Hogwarts crest and school name featured on the front, buckle fastenings, leather-look. Waterstones also have a wide range of products including this *Golden Snitch coloured pen for £4.99. Other places you can get Harry Potter themed back to school products include: Asda, Matalan and The Works.

Labelling your child's uniform is important so it doesn't go missing. We have tried Iron on labels, stickers and fabric pens, however our favourite option is a stamp. We got ours from Stamptastic and we love that the stamp can be used again year after year. 

Are the sticky notes stuck to the edge of your computer monitor looking a mess? This *Computer Monitor Memo Board is here to fix that! This handy board fits easily to the edge of a monitor using removable tape. Once it’s on, just use it like a whiteboard. Dry markers work perfectly on it and are easy to wipe off. Plus, the bottom edge is great for holding things like your phone, keys, notebooks, and more. 

I'm definitely not the best with coming up with fun Lunchbox ideas. Blake takes a packed lunch in as a back up and has a limited diet anyway. However Nairns sell a range of snacks that are rich in nutrients and lower in sugar compared to the average sweet biscuit, packed with oats. They are also a great after school snack and not just for lunchboxes. The *Nairn’s Cheese Oatcakes are made with mature cheddar cheese, wholegrain oats, and very little else, they truly make packing for snacking a whole lot easier - they are so tasty they can be enjoyed just as much on their own as they are with some hummus or cream cheese. As for the *Nairn’s Chocolate Chip Oat Biscuit Breaks they are a great gluten free option that contain contain no artificial colours or flavours, are full of the goodness of wholegrain oats and contain just 45 calories per biscuit making them the perfect chocolatey treat.

Other back to school things you may want to consider are vitamins, especially as this time of year children pick up bugs etc so easily. Don't forget to pop a pack of pocket tissues into your child's bag and some hand sanitizer as well. Last of all It’s probably inevitable that your child may catch nits at some point. So it's handy to have some emergency treatment in the cupboard just in case!