Back to School Essentials Checklist

It feels like just yesterday that the kids skipped out of school for the summer holidays, but the new school year is just around the corner. The first day back brings excitement for many. The sound of squeaky new shoes and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils fill the air. Getting organised can be an overwhelming task. Take the stress out of school shopping with our back to school checklist, from school uniforms to school bags and stationery, we’ve got it covered.

School Uniform

The most important part of the back to school checklist is ultimately the school uniform. What you buy depends on the rules of the individual school, so make sure to double-check which items are essential. It can often be difficult to decide how many of each garment to buy. Playtime and lunch can get messy for kids so it's best to have at least two tops and bottoms so you have a spare if disaster strikes. You should also keep in mind that your child may have a growth spurt throughout the year so you may want to choose the bigger option if they are in between sizes.

School Uniform Checklist:

  • Shirt / Polo Shirt
  • Jumper / Cardigan / Blazer
  • Trousers / Skirt
  • Socks
  • Tie (if required)

A school coat is also a top priority. Ensure the kids are prepared for possible rain showers on their walk to school or in the playground with a hooded rain jacket. As the seasons change and the winter takes hold, a padded jacket is a must to keep them cosy on cold mornings.

School PE Kit

Some schools have strict rules on their PE kit, requiring pupils to wear specific garments with the school crest. Other schools allow pupils to wear plain t-shirts and shorts for sporting activities. Purchase your school’s crested O’Neills school tracksuit and PE kit online and tick it off your back to school checklist, or check out our range of plain school PE kits and tracksuits for boys and girls.

If your child takes part in after-school sporting activities, they may require specific clothing and equipment such as swimwear and accessories for swimming lessons or football boots for soccer practice. Pack their school PE kit and sportswear into a PE bag for safekeeping.

School PE Kit Checklist:

School Bags

This is the most exciting part of back to school shopping for most kids! Choosing their school bag for the year ahead is a major decision. What colour should they choose? Do they want the same style of school bag as their friends, or do they want to stand out from the crowd? All major considerations, however, it’s important to also take into account the practicality and durability of the school bag to ensure it is strong enough and has room to carry their school supplies.

School Trainers and Shoes

Step into the new school year in style with a fresh pair of shoes or school trainers. Comfort and durability are key when choosing the perfect pair. If your child is quite active and involved in a variety of after-school sporting activities, you may sway towards a pair of school trainers rather than traditional school shoes.

The policy on school shoes varies between schools with strict rules on the colour and style of shoes permitted. Trainers may be allowed in some schools, black school trainers specifically in others, while certain schools enforce a strict black shoe policy. It’s important to check with the individual school before buying to avoid extra expense.

School Stationery

Now you have the above ticked off the back to school checklist, it’s time to fill up the pencil case with some fresh new stationery. The contents of a pupil’s pencil case tends to dimmish throughout the year, so a full re-fill may be necessary.

School Stationery Checklist:

  • Pens and Pencils
  • Ruler
  • Rubber
  • Highlighters
  • Colouring Pencils
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Calculator
  • Pencil Case

Other Important School Supplies:


Avoid the chaos and get ready for the year ahead at O’Neills Back to School Shop. Term time is fast approaching and the summer holidays are coming to a close, so it’s time to get the school essentials ticked off the back to school checklist. Ready, Set, Go!