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YPO's top tips for saving on back to school

Blog
The YPO Team
24 Aug 2026

YPO’s top tips for making budgets go further in back to school

The start of a new academic year comes around quickly. There are new pupils to welcome, new teachers to support and new lessons to prepare.

With it comes the usual back to school shopping to stock up on classroom essentials and learning resources, so you can hit the ground running and start the new school year off strongly.

But with school budgets under growing pressure, the back to school period can add to that strain. Here are five practical ways YPO can help public-sector schools stretch their 2026/27 budgets, reduce avoidable spending, and secure better value from new year purchasing.

1. Plan ahead to avoid unnecessary spending

Planning lessons and auditing existing stock before you order can save money over the full school year. A clear list of the supplies you already have - and what you genuinely need - helps you allocate budget accurately.

Not just in terms of price, but also in the time and stress of making last-minute purchases. With a clearer picture of what you need, you can get exactly what’s required. No panic buying. No over-ordering. No impulse purchases. Just effective use of your budget.

2. Compare brands and focus on value

Schools need dependable products that support teaching and learning, from pens, pencils and glue sticks to exercise books and markers. However, the most familiar brand is not always the best-value choice for every task.

Comparing suitable alternatives helps you balance performance, quality and price. The YPO range includes reliable, high-quality classroom essentials designed to deliver enhanced everyday value to public sector customers.

3. Use class packs to lower the cost per item

Buying smaller packs may appear cheaper at first, but larger orders may offer a lower cost per item when products are used across classes or departments. Compare pack sizes against different retailers and organisations.

YPO brings together its own range and established brands, giving schools a straightforward way to compare quantities and prices. Consolidating commonly used items into larger packs can reduce repeat orders and help achieve better value at scale.

Our classpacks are designed to provide enough supplies to share across a class while offering reliable, high-quality products, helping every pupil access the resources they need.

4. Look beyond the headline discount

We all love a good discount. It makes us feel like we’re making better choices and saving along the way. But what a discount says and what it does can be very different.

Compare the unit price, pack quantity, product quality and likely lifespan - not just the percentage saving shown.

This makes it easier to assess the true cost of a purchase and avoid offers that look attractive but do not meet your school's needs.

YPO is committed to transparent pricing and real value for public sector customers - helping schools make confident, accountable purchasing decisions.

5. Reinvest loyalty rewards in your school

Where you spend your budget matters. Getting rewarded for your choices shows that each one makes a difference. Loyalty programmes are the simplest measure of this, but not everywhere offers one.

YPO is 100% publicly owned to prioritise public good over private profit, which is why our loyalty programme gives money back to schools year in, year out. The more you spend with us, the more we give back, so you can reinvest it into what matters most to you for the next back to school period. Alongside our loyalty programme, VIP club members enjoy exclusive offers and rewards that help school budgets go even further.

As the 26/27 school year rapidly approaches, we know it can add pressure. YPO has been supporting schools across the country for over 50 years, so education has a partner it can rely on to help make the most of every school day. And with free next-day delivery when you spend over £15, you can always get what you need, whenever you need it, on thousands of products.

Don't forget to make the most of our back to school sale. Save on stationery, arts and crafts essentials, and everyday classroom supplies to help you start the new term fully prepared.

Author

The YPO Team

YPO supplies products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes. YPO are 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, which means the profits made are returned to public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.