The ultimate Back to School checklist

The ultimate Back to School checklist by teachers for teachers

The countdown to Back to School is officially on. And as the date looms closer, we’re here to remind you to stock up on all your teaching essentials for the new term.

Whether you’re teaching the same year group, a different year or even starting at a new school, YPO has the ultimate teacher’s toolkit, from furniture and storage to arts and crafts and exercise books, to useful tips by our brand ambassadors and creator community over on Instagram.

Are you on Instagram? You may have spotted YPO’s Back to School Bonanza: seven giveaways created with seven brilliant education creators and packed with classroom resources to help make getting ready for September a little easier. Perhaps you entered, saved a post for later or immediately started planning where everything would go in your classroom.

If one of the giveaways has given you ideas for your own setting or classroom, we’ve made it easy to shop the resources too. Every product name below links directly to its YPO product page, and each section links back to the creator and Instagram giveaway that inspired it. You can also follow YPO on Instagram to find more product recommendations and ideas.

Read on to discover YPO’s Back To School Checklist to kickstart the Autumn term feeling your most organised self.

Display boards

Our favourite way to celebrate pupil’s achievements (big and small), share learnings and ideas and create bold and engaging displays. 

See the display board giveaway with @continuousprovision_with_katie on Instagram.

Our top picks

POSCA Paint Markers Assorted Colours - 24 Pack (724459)       

Add colourful writing and patterns to your display board with 12 bullet tipped and 12 fine tipped pens. Simply shake to activate, then create your beautiful display. 

Go Green Recycled Scissors (313785)

Scissors made from 100% recycled materials? Pop it in your Back to School basket immediately. Use them for cutting paper or fabric, trimming borders and cutting out shapes or headings for your display board.  

Corrugated Board Rolls - Assorted Pack of 15 Coloured Rolls (116505)   

Fact: your display board needs a colourful background. Opt for one of these 15 rolled colours, which include green, orange, pink, blue and yellow. 

Monochrome Border Rolls 57mm x 15m - 4 Pack (136229)

Featuring black, white, silver and grey scalloped borders, this pack has everything you need to create a 3D display board look. 

Rapesco Z-Duo Staple Tacker Staple Gun (702152)     

With 300 staples inside, you can use this as soon as you get it. We say it’s best for attaching fabric to a board, fixing borders and sticking heavier materials onto the board that might not keep with glue. 

Furniture

From chairs and tables to cushions and tuff tray stands, the right classroom furniture can support comfort, safety, accessibility and the way children learn together.

See the horseshoe table giveaway with @mrrobson_ on Instagram.

Our top picks 

Tuf Top Horseshoe Table - Adjustable Height (D52366) 

Teachers love this horseshoe table, with its adjustable height and curved shape that enables teachers to have closer interactions and 1:1 learning with their pupils at eye level.

Postura+ Chair - Seat Height 310mm (4-6yrs) (D17783)

Designed for good posture and absolutely no tipping or rocking (thanks to its angled legs), these come in 18 colours, such as Ink Blue, Light Sand, Slate Grey and Forest Green. The chairs also come in 8-11 years, 11-14 years and 14+ years sizes. 

Soft Floor Bean Cushions- Set of 8 (D59807)

All classrooms need a set of cushions for their learning and reading corner. These come in a set of eight and are upholstered in super-soft, long-lasting showerproof fabric, making them perfect for taking outside too. Choose from an array of colours, from yellow to plum. 

Millhouse Mini Tuff Tray Table (D84683)

Great for exploring sensory materials, engaging in messy play and playing small-world activities, this wooden stand and removable tray makes Back to School learning safe and fun. 

Elegant Flower Height Adjustable Table (D76456)

Suitable for 2 year olds and above, this height-adjustable table is perfect for collaborative learning or quiet time focusing. We love it for bringing calm, neutral tones into the classroom. 

Maths

Counters, weights, scales, measuring tools and practical kits can help children see how maths connects to the world around them. Hands-on resources make abstract ideas easier to explore, compare and understand.

See the maths giveaway with @mrsteacher_ks1 on Instagram.

Our top picks

Measure it - My Very First Tape Measure  (800952)

Designed for little hands, this chunky measuring tape helps children measure and understand objects, complete class challenges and become inquisitive about their own height.

YPO Classroom Measurement Set (459321)

Learning to measure opens up a world of possibilities. This set contains 3 jugs, 6 measuring spoons, 5 measuring cups and 5 nesting bottles for children to discover (and get messy with).

YPO Measuring Scales (836044)

Grab this for teaching maths and science to KS1. Why? When you use measuring scales, it acts as a visual aid, helping children understand the weight and difference between objects.

Edding 3 in 1 Gridded A4 Whiteboard Kits (103599)

With 40 whiteboards and black bullet whiteboard pens, the whole class can get involved with the challenges you set them. Bonus - it wipes away easily and the pens boast low odour ink. 

Sand Timers, pack of 30 (309352)

Whether they’re boiling an egg or taking part in an impromptu spelling test, these sand timers are the perfect companion. The set features 10 one minute, three minute and five minute timers. 

Motor skill activities

Learning everyday life skills looks like this: developing muscle control in their fingers by drawing and threading and improving physical strength through balancing and jumping. 

See the motor skills giveaway with @eyfssisters on Instagram.

Our top picks

Softwood Building Blocks (D42807)

A top pick for nursery and reception activities, they’ll love creating 3D masterpieces (like towers, buildings and cities) using their creativity and imagination.

Gonge Nordic River Stones (D75978)

Need Back to School ideas for outdoor play? Reach for these stepping stones (inspired by stepping stones through a river). Each has a rubber rim on its base to prevent slipping - hooray.

Cosy Curvy Board Rocker & Balance Board (D49453)

Test, nurture and improve their balance with this Waldorf-inspired board. It’s not just a balance board - they can use it as a ramp, slide or bridge too.

Helping Hands Fine Motor Skills Classroom Set (307762)

Fact: fine motor skill training can be fun. Just look at this set, complete with Jumbo Tweezers, Handy Scoopers, Twisty Droppers and Squeezy Tweezers for sand, water and messy play. 

Arts and crafts

It’s time to get creative with the resources featured in our Back to School Bonanza arts and crafts giveaway. From painting and colouring to collage and model-making, these classroom essentials are ready for big ideas and brilliantly messy moments.

See the arts and crafts giveaway with @mrsg_eyfs on Instagram.

Our top picks

YPO Washable Ready Mixed Paint (309925)

POV: you’ve found the only paints you need for art class. These quick-drying formulas boast a velvety texture, making them super-smooth to paint with. And don’t worry, they wash off skin and clothing really well. 

Pentel Jumbo Oil Pastels (705128)

Hello, mini Picassos! We believe all budding artists need these 24 oil pastels, which apply with the smoothest touch and are suitable for paper, canvas and acrylic boards. 

Wooden Lolly Sticks Assorted Colours (546284)

The possibilities are endless when 1000 wooden lolly sticks are on the table - we’re talking crafts like signs, mini people, animals and classroom decorations.

Googly Eyes (303941)

Get ready to bring their creations to life with these 3D googly eyes, which you can glue to puppets, drawings, cards and classroom displays for a touch of fun. 

Stretched Premium Canvas (735045)

Lay these out on tables for an art session to remember - they work best when paired with oil and acrylic painting. They’re also great for after school art club painting (they’ll be so proud to bring them home).

Teacher saviours

These are the practical favourites teachers reach for time and time again not just during Back to School season, but throughout the entire year. They may not be the most glamorous items in the cupboard or the products you’d instantly think of buying for your desk, but these are the ones you will notice when they are missing.

See the teacher essentials giveaway with @miss_lvt_eyfs on Instagram.

Our top picks

Fellowes Crystals™ Gel Mouse Mat with Wrist Support - Purple (796425)

Meet the top soothing gel support for your hand and wrist as you work on your daily admin. It’s also stain resistant and wipes clean with a damp cloth - phew!

YPO A4 Red Handwriting Exercise Books (135816)

No Back to School shopping list is complete without these red A4 handwriting books, specifically designed to support children with neat and consistent handwriting. As it’s a pack of 100, you can hand them out to the whole year group.

BIC Four Colour Ballpoint Pen (307131)

Marking homework or making notes? Don’t go without this ballpoint pen, offering blue, black, red and green ink. Need spares? Luckily, this comes in a pack of 12. 

Pritt Original Glue Sticks 43g - 34 Pack + 4 Free Sticks (750393)

If you’re putting together your school supplies list, Pritt Sticks should be at the top. Essential for gluing paper, cardboard, photos, fabric, felt and cotton together, it boasts an easy-to-twist dispenser and ultra-smooth application (no glue lumps here). 

STABILO® BOSS® ORIGINAL Big Boss® Highlighters 8 Colours - 48 Pack (737322)

This set features 8 vibrant colours, perfect for note taking and marking. The best part? They offer a 4 hour cap off life, thanks to their anti-dry-out technology.

Transitioning to Reception and Year 1

A new term means new changes. Pick out familiar learning objects for Reception and Year 1 pupils, which can also be adapted to encourage independent learning and prolonged periods of concentration.

See the transition giveaway with @miss_e_early_years and @eyfswithmrs_s

Our top picks to support motor skill development

Coloured Boulders - Pack of 10 (D49447)

Stacking, counting and sensory fun awaits with these boulders. Reception and Year 1 children should be encouraged to stack the boulders, seek out patterns, answer maths challenges and use their vocabulary to describe each one. 

Tickit Wooden Jewel Dominoes Game - 28 Pack (103741)

Add these jewel dominoes (no really, look at the pictures) to your Back to School list. It might be a little more bling than the original game, but the foundations are the same. Play a game of dominoes, practice counting or stamp them on play dough for a sensory activity. 

Threading Laces Colossal Buttons with Storage Tub  (303871)

Threading is designed to help children learn a new skill, focus, develop hand-eye coordination and problem-solve. Containing 64 large buttons and four strong laces, these are break time and quiet time must-haves.

Yellow Door Sensory Shapes - 12 Pack (810431)

Exploring and mark making start with these twelve sensory stones. Each shape is made from real stone and resin and designed to train pupils to use descriptive, comparative language when playing with them.

Tickit Silishapes Trace Numbers (800064)

Winner of the 2014 Practical Pre-School Silver Award, these can be used as part of everyday play, from hiding and finding in the sand pit to placing in order on a light panel.

Whether you’re refreshing one learning area, restocking everyday essentials or setting up a whole new classroom, our Back to School collection brings together school supplies, classroom favourites and current offers to help you get ready for the new term.