If there's one thing I've learnt over the years, it's this: almost every family thinks they'll start shopping early. Then August flies by, and suddenly the first day of school is only a few days away.

If you're in that position, don't feel like you've missed every bargain.

One mistake people often make is assuming that the best deals disappear weeks before schools reopen. That's not usually how it works. Many UK retailers keep promotions running right up until the new term begins because they're still competing for shoppers who haven't finished their lists.

The challenge isn't finding discounts, it's knowing where to look first and which items are actually worth buying before everything starts selling out.

Let's keep this practical.

Where Are the Best Last-Minute Back-to-School Deals in the UK?

The best places to start are supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl, Tesco and Asda, followed by trusted high-street retailers like WHSmith, Ryman and Argos. Together, they usually offer the widest choice of uniforms, stationery, backpacks and school essentials during the final weeks before term begins.

One thing I've noticed is that people often spend too much time jumping between shops without any sort of plan. By the end of the day they're exhausted, they've spent more than expected and they're still missing half the list.

I'd rather decide what needs buying first, then choose the retailer that's usually strongest for those products.

• Aldi: Seasonal Special buys often include stationery, lunch boxes and classroom essentials.

• Lidl: Frequently offers affordable school accessories during its weekly promotions.

• Tesco: A practical option for uniforms, lunch bags and everyday supplies while doing the weekly food shop.

• Asda: Well known for budget-friendly school uniforms and children's footwear.

• WHSmith: Strong choice for stationery, revision materials and classroom basics.

• Ryman: Ideal if you need notebooks, folders, calculators or study supplies.

• Argos: Useful for back to school backpacks, lunch boxes and children's technology.

• M&S and NEXT: Popular choices for durable school uniforms that many parents buy year after year.

One thing I'd avoid is assuming the cheapest shop is always the best value.

A backpack from one retailer might cost a little more, but if it survives the entire school year instead of needing replacing before Christmas, you've probably saved money without realising it.

Before paying, I also like checking whether any retailers are running voucher codes or limited-time promotions. Not because every code is brilliant, but because it only takes a minute to look and occasionally that minute saves more than you'd expect.

The School Essentials Worth Buying First

Leaving everything until the final weekend can make any shopping trip feel rushed. The easiest way to stay on budget is to separate must-have items from purchases that can wait until after term starts.

A sensible order is:

1. School uniform

Uniform sizes disappear quickly once schools announce their return dates. If replacements are needed, this should usually be the first purchase.

2. School shoes

Children rarely notice worn-out shoes until the holidays are almost over. Buying these early avoids limited size availability.

3. Back-to-school backpacks

A backpack is carried almost every day, so durability matters more than choosing the cheapest option. Reinforced straps, strong zips and water-resistant materials usually last much longer.

4. Back to school stationery

Pens, pencils, exercise books, folders and calculators are often available through multi-buy promotions, making them one of the easiest categories to save money on.

5. Lunch and classroom essentials

Water bottles, lunch boxes, PE bags and name labels are easy to overlook, yet they're usually needed from the very first day.

Families often find that working through essentials in this order keeps spending under control while reducing the stress of forgetting important items.

Not Everything Deserves a Bigger Budget

No. Some school items are worth paying a little more for, while others can be bought at the lowest available price without sacrificing quality. Prioritising durability over price usually works best for products children use every day.

When buying school supplies, I'd rather spend a little extra on products that get used every day than waste money on things that will probably disappear before half-term anyway.

I'd happily pay more for:

• A backpack with solid stitching.

• Comfortable school shoes.

• A reusable water bottle that won't leak.

• A lunch box that can survive being dropped more than once.

Where would I happily save money?

• Glue sticks.

• Pencils.

• Exercise books.

• Plastic wallets.

• Colouring supplies.

One thing I've found is that parents often focus on the price of individual items instead of the cost of replacing them later.

Sometimes the cheaper option really is the smarter buy.

Other times, spending an extra few pounds today saves buying the same thing twice before the school year is over.

If you're unsure where to begin, starting with a written shopping list makes the whole process much easier. This back-to-school shopping checklist offers a helpful way to organise school essentials before buying anything. 

Buying School Supplies Without Overspending

It's easy to assume every item on the list deserves the same budget, but that's rarely the case. Some products are used every day and need to last the entire school year, while others can be replaced for very little money if necessary.

A simple way to manage buying school supplies is to divide the list into two categories.

Worth spending a little more on

These items are used daily and usually offer better value when they're made to last.

• A durable backpack with reinforced straps

• Well-fitted school shoes

• A leak-proof water bottle

• A sturdy lunch box

• A reliable calculator for secondary school students

Easy places to save

These products are widely available and often included in seasonal promotions.

• Pens and pencils

• Exercise books

• Glue sticks

• Colouring pencils

• Highlighters

• Basic folders

This approach helps families spend their budget where it matters most instead of simply choosing the cheapest option across the board.

Which School Items Usually Sell Out First?

If I know I'm leaving the shopping until the final week, there are a few things I wouldn't risk postponing. They disappear faster than most people expect.

Every year, the same products seem to become harder to find once schools are about to reopen.

I'd look for these first:

• School shoes in popular sizes.

• School uniform for common age groups.

• Back to school backpacks in popular colours.

• Scientific calculators required by secondary schools.

• PE kits and trainers.

Everything else can usually wait a little longer.

One thing I've noticed is that parents often worry about stationery first, but pens and notebooks are rarely the hardest products to replace.

Shoes are a different story.

If the right size has gone, you could end up visiting three or four shops just to find a suitable pair.

That's time I'd rather spend doing something else.

Is Shopping Online Better Than Visiting the High Street?

Honestly, I'd use both. Relying on just one option usually means missing opportunities to save.

Online shopping makes it much easier to compare prices, especially when you're buying from several retailers.

The high street, however, still has one major advantage.You can check sizes, fabrics and quality before spending your money. I've found the best approach is to combine both. If I know exactly what I need, I'll compare prices online first. 

If the difference is only a couple of pounds, I'd often choose the shop where I can actually see the product before buying it.

That approach works particularly well for uniforms, shoes and backpacks.For stationery, online deals are often just as competitive. If you're getting ready for the new term, don't forget to compare prices before clicking "Buy Now". The cheapest-looking option isn't always the best once delivery charges are added.

Another habit that's worth keeping is checking whether retailers are offering verified discount codes before completing your order. A quick look through available retailer voucher codes can sometimes uncover offers that aren't immediately visible on the retailer's own website. 

That's one reason many shoppers compare deals through this savings platform before checking out.

A Small Habit That Can Save More Than You Expect

People often assume saving money comes down to finding one huge discount.

I'd disagree.

In my experience, it's usually a collection of smaller decisions that makes the biggest difference.

Buying uniforms from one retailer.

Picking up stationery somewhere else.

Waiting a day if another shop has a better offer.

Using a voucher code where one is available.

None of those choices feels dramatic on its own.

Put them together, though, and the overall cost of school essentials shopping can look very different by the time you've finished.

That's probably the biggest lesson I'd pass on to anyone tackling last-minute shopping.

Don't chase every deal.

Just make sure the deals you choose actually fit your shopping list.

Final Thoughts

I've never believed that leaving back to school shopping until the last minute automatically means you've failed.

Life gets busy. Holidays end quicker than expected. Children grow out of uniforms overnight. It happens.

What matters is shopping with a plan rather than shopping in a panic.

If I had to leave you with three pieces of advice, they'd be these:

• Buy the essentials before anything else.

• Compare retailers instead of assuming one shop has the lowest prices.

• Spend a minute checking whether there's a genuine discount available before you pay.

Do those three things and you're far more likely to finish your shopping without feeling you've overspent.

If you've already decided where you're shopping, it's worth taking a quick look at the latest brand discount codes before placing your order. It's a small step, but sometimes it helps reduce the overall cost without changing your shopping list. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When do children go back to school in the UK?

Most schools in England reopen in early September, although exact dates vary by local authority and individual schools. It's always worth checking your council or school's term calendar.

What are the most important back-to-school supplies?

School uniforms, shoes, back to school stationery, backpacks, lunch boxes and water bottles should usually be the first items on your shopping list.

Are back-to-school backpacks worth buying on sale?

Yes. August promotions often include discounts on backpacks, making it a good time to buy a durable one before the new term begins.

Can you save money by using voucher codes?

Often, yes. Many UK retailers release seasonal offers before schools reopen, so checking for valid discount codes before paying can help reduce the total cost.

What day do kids go back to school in the UK?

There's no single national date. Most pupils return during the first week of September, but schools set their own term dates.

Can you retake A levels without going back to school?

Yes. Many students retake A levels through sixth-form colleges, private exam centres or distance-learning providers without returning to their previous school.