Friday 21st August 2026

Summer may be slipping into its final scene, but there’s no need to dread the return to routine. From beautifully considered stationery and clever desk essentials to smart tech and inspiring reads, our back-to-school edit is designed to lighten the load and make the new term feel more exciting. Whether you’re heading back to primary school, sixth form or university, consider style firmly on the timetable…

Personalised School Starter Gift Set, £120

For little ones heading off to nursery, rainy-day dressing needn’t be a chore. If you’re upgrading the raincoat, why not go the whole way with this charming personalised Pink Spot set from My 1st Years? Complete with matching wellies, snack bag and tiny backpack, it turns dreary mornings and nursery drop-offs into something to look forward to!

Personalised Backpack & Lunch Bag, £52

Also from My 1st Years, this colourful backpack and lunch bag set is a wonderfully unisex choice for the new term. The bold, playful print feels suitably grown-up for children keen to show a little personality, while the matching pair keeps school-day essentials together. Add their name for a practical, personalised set that is made for busy days on the move.

PO.P Backpack, £60

A school-day essential with a distinctly Scandinavian sensibility, Polarn O. Pyret’s dark navy backpack is designed with practicality and longevity in mind. As with the Swedish brand’s wider approach to children’s clothing, it strikes a balance between considered design and the demands of everyday life. Its understated colour makes it an easy companion for the school run, while the thoughtfully designed shape keeps everyday essentials neatly organised.

Ubbi Bento Box, £24.99

Make the school lunch break a little more appealing with Ubbi’s thoughtfully designed Bento Box. Four separate compartments keep sandwiches, fruit, snacks and treats neatly divided, while a secure latch and rubber seal help prevent spills and keep food fresh. The ergonomic handle is designed for little hands, making it easy to carry between classroom and playground. Dishwasher-safe and available in a selection of modern colourways, it is a practical addition to any back-to-school kit.

Uni-Ball One P 0.5 Nib Pen, £5.45

A small addition to the school pencil case, but one that makes everyday note-taking feel that little bit more considered. The Uni-ball One P gel pens feature a smooth 0.5mm nib and rich, quick-drying ink, making them well suited to everything from homework and revision notes to journalling and doodling. Compact, comfortable to hold and available in a selection of chic colours, they are a practical desk essential, poised to become your favourite pen!

The Lord of the Rings Pencil Set, £42

Moleskine’s limited-edition The Lord of the Rings pencil set, created with Blackwing, brings a little Middle-earth magic to the school desk. The set of 12 soft graphite pencils features illustrations inspired by characters, moments and stages of the epic journey, alongside premium Japanese graphite, incense-cedar wood and replaceable erasers. A lovely choice for drawing, writing and daydreaming.

PLAUD Note Pro, £169

For students looking to make study time more efficient, the PLAUD Note Pro is a clever companion for lectures, seminars and revision. The slim AI note-taker records conversations, transcribes them in more than 112 languages and turns them into structured summaries, with speaker labels and custom vocabulary for greater accuracy. Weighing just 30g, with up to 50 hours of recording and 64GB of storage, it slips easily into a school bag.

Marshall Minor IV, £119.99

For the school run, study sessions or the journey home, Marshall’s Minor IV wireless earbuds bring a little rock ’n’ roll to the everyday. Delivering Marshall’s signature sound, they offer up to seven hours of listening from the earbuds and more than 30 hours with the charging case. Touch controls, Bluetooth multipoint and a comfortable, water-resistant design make them a practical addition to any school bag - particularly for music, podcasts and audiobooks on the move.

Beauty of Letters by Tom Schamp, £22.50

Rediscover the joy of the alphabet with Beauty of Letters published by Prestel, a gloriously inventive celebration of language, typography and illustration. Tom Schamp’s richly detailed Letterland turns every letter into an invitation to look closer, with hidden characters, curious connections and visual surprises at every turn. A playful reminder that lettering can be as imaginative, expressive and endlessly fascinating for adults as it is for children.

ZWILLING Thermo Plus Food Jar, £39.95

For lunches that deserve more than a sandwich, the ZWILLING Thermo Plus Food Jar is a smart addition to the new term. The 600ml stainless-steel jar keeps food hot or cold for up to 10 hours, making it ideal for soups, pasta, yoghurt and more. A leakproof lid doubles as a bowl, while a matching spoon is neatly stored in its own silicone cover. Finished in soft pink, it brings an elegant touch to everyday mealtimes.