I’m a former secondary-school headteacher – what your kids actually need & why you shouldn’t bother with math kits

GETTING YOUR kids ready for secondary school is a daunting time for the entire family, from new uniforms to buying enough stationary to stock WHSmith.

If you’re struggling to know what’s really needed for your child’s first year at secondary school then you’ve come to the right place.

Nick Smith, 57, from Devon, England, a headteacher for 14 years speaks to Fabulous about what your child really needs to bring with them and what you really don’t need to bother with.

As a teacher with three decades of experience, Nick knows the education system inside out and tells all in his new book, Head Trauma: The Bruising Diary of a Headteacher.

The day before

As any good teacher will tell you - it's always best to get prepped the night before.

Nick suggests it’s always best to start getting their bag ready early including some spare change for emergencies, getting their uniform ready and if they’ve worked out and practiced how they’re getting there.

The former headteacher adds that most schools will send a document out with all the necessities needed for the school year.

Lots of parents worry their child will get detention for not bringing the correct stuff on the first day, but Nick explains you don’t need to worry about that.

He reveals: “Schools are used to people bringing the wrong stuff, so they have lots of spares for your kids to use on the first day.

“The most important thing they can bring is a positive attitude.”

The big one parents forget are the forms sent out regarding IT policy, home schooling agreements, permission for use of photographs," adds Nick.

Teachers will love you if you remember to return them on the first day.

Pets

It may seem obvious to some, but bringing a pet to school is not something your children should be doing.

Nick recalls one time he found a student with their pet goldfish.

“Someone bought in their pet goldfish in their water bottle once," he adds.

"She had got the goldfish recently and was so pleased with it she brought it in to show people.

“We had to get them to release it, so her mum came in to take it back."

Designer Clobber

You may think you’re setting up your child by putting them in designer clobber but it can cause friction form day one.

“It’s an opportunity to sort of lord it over other people,” says Nick.

He adds it has to fit the school policy, so if it states plain shoes or a plain coat stick to it as logos won't make the cut.

Nick explains it's always a cause of friction as you want them to adhere to the policy, and they argue they've spent a lot of money on them.

Stationary

It's easy to go overboard on stationary when your kid is starting secondary school, but you really don't need to says Nick.

The basics children will need on their first day are a pencil case, pen, pencil, rubber, sharpener, and ruler.

And no, fountain pens aren’t mandatory anymore so you can wave goodbye to your children ruining their white school shirts every week with ink.

"I wouldn’t go for a fountain pen, when I was growing up it just meant ink was everywhere," says the ex-headteacher.

Tippex is also a no-go and a teacher's worst nightmare.

Nick explains: "Don’t buy Tippex, students tend to just put it on the desk so schools probably wouldn’t encourage you buying it."

Don’t fork out on a geometry set or calculator either – wait until the school tells you if you need one and what specific set to buy.

Phones

Phones for children are always a point of controversy, with many arguing they are essential and others claiming they distract kids from education.

Nick recommends going with the school's policy on phones but sees they're needed for getting to and from school.

"You can buy them a phone, but using it while at school, whether that’s in break times, classes or not at all is up to the school," Nick reveals.