If you’ve watched Motherland you’ll recognise them as the slightly manic one who's always on the school parents’ WhatsApp group asking for the tombola donations, badgering people to join the bake sale rota and firing out last minute requests for a gazebo when the weather suddenly threatens the school fair. But not all PTA parents are like Amanda. Many of them are unsung heroes who are the quiet force behind the scenes, raising thousands for new playground equipment without ever demanding applause. 

And while many parents shudder at the idea of signing up, for some parents, joining the school’s PTA is a brilliant way to feel part of the community, make friends, and make a genuine difference. For others though, it’s an overwhelming mix of politics, pressure and passive-aggressive emoji reactions in group chats. 

But love them or hate them, PTAs are doing more than organising cake sales these days. As school budgets shrink and staff juggle more than ever before, PTAs are increasingly being relied upon to fund essentials – not just the ‘nice-to-haves’. 

So, what’s it really like being part of one? Should you volunteer? Is it OK if you just… don’t? And are there other ways to help the school that doesn’t involve attending termly committee meetings? We spoke to real parents to find out the truth behind the PTA –and why it’s more complicated (and more important) than it looks. 

What exactly is a PTA and why do they exist? 

The PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association (also known as the Parent Association in some schools) and is a group of parents who work with teachers at the schools to improve school facilities and learning experiences for the students.  

The main aim of the PTA is to raise money for facilities, activities and resources that can be funded within the school’s annual budget. The PTA also helps bring the whole school community together and to facilitate better communication between staff and parents.  

Where PTAs might once have been all about having a nice chat over tea and biscuits and organising the odd bake sale or second-hand uniform shop, they now have a much broader remit and support the school in a number of ways including:  

• Being a channel of communication between school and parents 

• Fundraising for resources that enrich the students’ education and wellbeing 

• Organising field trips, school discos, seasonal events, workshops and guest speakers to foster a love of learning and fun amongst student body 

• Organising social events for the adults to create a sense of community amongst teachers and parents  

• Advocating for students and influencing school policies and issues as the voice of the parents, including on subjects like curriculum and student well-being.  

Not all PTAS are the same though. Some are power microcosms full of former-CEO parents with too much time on their hands and a need to be in charge, while others have been known to cause playground punch-ups and host black tie balls with auctions containing lots that sell for thousands.    

At the less dramatic end of the scale, your average PTA meets up on a termly basis to discuss smaller scale fundraising for attainable items like new playground equipment or organise coffee mornings and end of term parties for the kids.  

 The pros: Why parents swear it’s worth it 

To join or not to join: that is the question. While taking on another responsibility as a parent might seem like a crazy idea, helping out on the PTA isn’t just an extra chore and had some surprising benefits for these pro-PTA parents:  

“When my first daughter started reception, I wanted to be involved in the school community so joined the PTA, but the expectations from class parents was quite high at that school,” says Andrea Dunkley Cepeda. “She’s at a different school now and I’ve decided to join again this year as everyone seems a bit more relaxed. Being on the PTA helps me to not forget all the events and things going on in her class and my aim for this year is to do more social events for the parents.” 

The ability to give back to the school and the amazing teaching staff is a huge reason for many mums and dads to get involved: 

“I’m part of the PTA and the chair of the PTA roped me in before the school year even started,” says Siobhan Gunson. “I honestly didn’t realise how much work goes into the events, but I love being able to help out and give back to the school. 

“We do great things like colour runs, summer and Christmas fairs, and this year we will be doing a winter light trail with handmade lanterns by all the kids in the school (my mum is an artist and I’ve roped her in!). Money from the PTA events have raised enough to kit out the IT room, build a new climbing frame, and fund trips and activities.” 

And if the personal benefits don’t encourage you to join, imagine the warm glow you’d get from knowing you’d played a pivotal role in raising around £9,000 annually for your child’s school, which is the average amount school PTAs raise according to Parentkind.org.uk, the membership association for school PTAs.  That was the case for one PTA parent: 

“I've been Chair of our PTA for nearly four years now,” says Stephanie Pordum. “I've really enjoyed doing it, but it doesn't come without its stresses! There can be long hours, especially around big events, but it's worth it when you see how much you've raised for the school. Government funding is shocking right now and sometimes doesn't even cover the basics for the academic year, so the work of PTAs and all volunteers is so important.” 

In really small village schools the PTA can make a huge and noticeable difference to all aspects of school life.  

“I'm part of our PTA and really enjoy it,” says Elisa Miles. “Our school has less than 40 kids in it, but we get so much support from all the parents and have raised a few thousand this year. I think the best thing we’ve done, along with the usual fetes, is the chocolate bingo. That was so well supported.” 

 The cons: Bake sale burnout, group chat drama and invisible labour 

It’s not all making friends and feeling warm and fuzzy about your volunteering efforts though, and there are definite downsides for some PTA parents. If you have a full-time job and lots of other commitments or just hate the pressure of organising events, it might be best to steer clear… 

“I found myself on a Preschool Committee after a mum friend promised me it was all meetings in the pub and laughs over a glass of wine,” says mum-of-two Claire Chapman. “Now five years later I’m still on the committee and feel like I can’t leave, plus there’s been a lot more admin and event organisation than wine! We even had a year full of legal battles and awkward meetings after a problem with our lease. I honestly wish I’d never agreed to it!”  

And while most PTA parents are lovely, generous and level-headed, there’s no smoke without fire and the hilarious depictions of PTA politics on TV shows are often inspired by real life anecdotes... 

“I’m secretary of my sons’ school’s PTA and have definitely had my fair share of PTA politics,” says Natasha Bird. “Once when the new Chair and former Chair had a massive fall out, they called a meeting to sort things out and asked me to be mediator! The meeting ended in a massive screaming match!”  

Before you join you need to consider things like the time commitment and whether emotionally you’re able to cope with any tensions between parents and school staff that might arise. If you answer yes to the following statements, you’ll probably thrive on the PTA: 

• I enjoy event planning 
• I can say no to overcommitment 
• I want to be fully in the know about what’s happening at school 
• I have time to give (even just a little) 
• I am happy to ask people for fundraising money  
• I am willing to work collaboratively 
• I am organised and can be trusted to get things done 

 Why schools need PTAs more than ever 

The pandemic, followed by the cost-of-living crisis has had far reaching financial consequences for everyone including schools, who have seen a big decline in the annual amount of fundraising money as well as huge budget pressures. And while the May 2025 spending review revealed that schools would receive an extra £4.5 billion over the next four years, in real terms – with spiralling costs in areas such as electricity and salaries – this equates to very little extra spending power for schools.  

Some schools are struggling more than others and aren’t even able to afford what many of us consider educational basics like reference books, computers and sports equipment. Last year, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said that just 1% of schools had enough money to cover basic costs and 70% of schools now receive less funding from the government than they did in 2010.  

This means voluntary contributions and fundraising from PTAs are more important than ever. Examples of what PTAs have paid for in the last year include everyday educational basics like desks and classroom furniture, class syllabus books, library books, art supplies, items for forest school and musical instruments.  

So even if you’re not feeling like joining the PTA for community-minded reasons, there could be a very personal reason to join – to ensure your child has access to all the opportunities and resources possible in this tricky financial era.   

How to help your child’s school without joining the PTA 

Time-poor and hate committee meetings, but still want to help?  

If you know the PTA is just not for you, but you want to give something back to the school community, here are some ideas for things to do that don’t involve taking meeting minutes or flogging brownies for a pound a piece.  

• Bake a cake for the bake sale (or buy one!).  

• Volunteer to help at events – fireworks night, summer fairs, sports days or concerts. If you don’t like the idea of being parent facing, offer your help with moving furniture and set up/ take down.  

• Donate a raffle prize or classroom supplies. 

• Offer your professional services – perhaps you work in marketing, social media, design, photography, etc and can help with posters or getting the word out about fundraising events. 

• Share information about fundraising initiatives with other parents and the wider community.  

• Attend any workshops and events set-up by the PTA as well as the annual AGM 

Mum Jen Dooris has found this to be the perfect halfway house for her current situation:  

“I'm a volunteer with ours and don't have an actual role but I help out where I can with events and fundraising,” she says. “I wanted to be more involved with the events that were put on and to show my son that I was present where I could be (I work part time), but I’m not able to be fully involved due to having a younger child as well. Once she's at school I’ll hopefully be able to take on a bigger role.” 

So, whether you love them or loathe them, there’s no denying the PTA parents are needed more than ever in today’s financial climate.  

If you can put up with the classic PTA characters (the power-seeking ex-CEO, the token dad, the reluctant secretary, the I’m-only-here-for-the-wine mum, the always late mum of 6, the OTT ideas parent, and the head-teacher’s-best-friend mum) then you may just find you have a lot of fun, while doing a lot of good.  

Read more:

• SEND explained: how to get the right support for your child at school and what to ask for
• The secret language of school: 44 words you’ll hear on the playground (and what they mean)
• Parents are turning to TikTok and AI instead of Ofsted reports when picking schools, research suggests

From the downright funny (please, please stop sending Reception kids in with metal water bottles) to the deeply important (why saying “I hated maths” to your child might be more harmful than you realise), these 20 teachers opened up with total honesty. They shared the things they’d love parents to understand—like the sheer time lost to unlabelled uniform, and the frustration when their expert judgement is second-guessed by a Google search.

Think of this as your unofficial school report, direct from the staffroom. Except this time, it’s not your child under review—it’s you. And let’s just say… some of us might not be meeting expectations.

Searching for unnamed possessions isn’t in our job description

Sewing in name labels is annoying and time-consuming, we get it, but with brilliant iron-on or stick-on labels these days, there’s no excuse for not naming all your child’s possessions. A surprising number of teachers in our community felt passionate about this point – and were keen to highlight how disruptive it is for them when 30 parents email to ask them to look out for their kids’ coat/ bottle/ PE kit/ shoes… the list goes on.

“Name your uniform,” says teacher Sarah Elizabeth. “And if you have second-hand uniform rename the name or it will be returned to the original owner. In fact, name everything – bags, bottles, shoes, PE kits, socks or anything that can be lost.”

While all teachers understand that kids will inevitably mislay their possessions (some more than others!), the addition of a correct and clear name can help them to help you enormously:

“When you say it's not named but it's blue age 7-8 you are describing every jumper in the class! And if you don't name it, don't expect it back!” says Kelly Rae.

Louise Dz agrees: “Please name things and then check the name is still legible – I spend half of my PPA (Planning, Preparation and Assessment time) looking for unnamed missing things!”

When they go to secondary school you might presume your child is grown-up enough to keep track of their possessions, but this isn’t always the case. “Please don't stop labelling things,” says secondary school teacher Maria Tinnuche Ayling. “They go into so many rooms, and we don't know who has left what – water bottles, PE kit, pencil cases, coats the lot...”

Teach your kids some basic self-care skills before they start school

Teachers are not the same as nannies, childminders and nursery staff and by the time your child starts reception year there really are some basic skills they should have mastered that will allow the teacher to do just that… teach. Remember most teachers will have around 26 children in their class, which is the UK average for 2025, and that is a lot of coats to hang up, water bottles to unscrew, noses to blow and even bottoms to wipe!

Some people might be surprised to hear that anyone wouldn’t have potty trained their child before school, but according to a 2024 poll via the Teacher Tapp app for Kindred Squared, nearly half (44%) of primary school teachers have at least one child in their class who isn’t reliably toilet trained – and a quarter have two or more. Even more worrying, one in 10 say there are three or more children in their class who aren’t yet toilet trained. 

Imagine how disruptive having to take kids to the toilet can be for teachers. To put a number on it, the same survey found teachers are losing an average of 2.4 hours of learning time every day helping pupils catch up on developmental milestones – a significant issue as schools juggle stretched resources and rising classroom demands.

“Please, please if you do one thing to get your child ready for school, make sure it’s that they can go to the toilet independently and wash their hands afterwards,” says primary school teacher Helen Walter.

There are other practical skills teachers would love your kids to be able to do too though – things like being able to zip up their own coat or unfasten their own lunchbox. These might seem like little tasks to you but when you times them by 30 they can take up half the time that’s meant to be spent teaching phonics/ having lunch/ doing PE.

“Please teach your child to tie their own laces, or at least buy Velcro shoes,” says teacher Laura Holland. “As a secondary DT teacher, it’s surprising how many even in KS4 don’t know how to tie their shoes! It really helps with tying aprons/sewing and so many other things,” says Stephie Jade Barton.

Another valuable skill to teach your school-aged children is how to get themselves dressed. “Spend time training your child on getting changed and how to organise their belongings!” adds Hannah Marie.

It’s not that teachers don’t want to help your child, it’s more a question of time and resource…

“Remember your child is in a class of 30 all with their own needs and wants. We do our best to notice things and take care of them but might not notice every little thing!” says Kelly Rae.

Make sure your child has the right equipment to learn

PE without trainers, geometry without a set square, literature without the reading book and let’s not even get onto missing homework… it can be rather frustrating for teachers when their pupils turn up to class without the materials they need to effectively learn.

While it’s important to get children to think for themselves and bear responsibility for their own stuff, remember they’re only young, very easily distracted and not always sensible so their school bag might need a little second check by a parent from day to day.

“Follow the equipment list and check in periodically with your child!” says Gemma Wood. “I do not have five spare calculators, glue sticks or pens at all times!”

And make sure what they do have is age appropriate. Amazingly one parent thought a Year 1 child would be fine with a glass water bottle:

“Please buy a water bottle with a straw when they are in KS1,” says Hannah Marie. “And never a glass water bottle – yes, I’ve had a child with a glass water bottle before, and yes, it did smash!”

And teachers would appreciate it if the water bottles weren’t metal either! “I’d love to tell parents how annoying metal water bottles are, as they clang whenever they are knocked over, which is about 20 times a day! Also, please don’t send them in with those ridiculously huge water bottles either!”

Once your child gets to secondary school it’s time to teach them to start being a bit more independent and organising their own educational needs though.

“Encourage independence (especially at secondary age),” says Kelly Marie N-M. “Make sure they pack their bag the night before, and that they have stationery!”

Work with your child’s teachers not against them 

Teachers want the same thing for your child as you do – for them to reach their academic potential and enjoy themselves while they’re doing it. But so often parents seem to forget this and don’t spend time and energy fostering a good mutual relationship with their child’s teacher to reach this goal together.

So, next time you rush to email a teacher demanding to know why a certain school decision has been made, consider for a moment that maybe it was made in the best interest of your child’s education or social situation at school.

“Teachers are not against you, they want to work with you,” explains Fez Huseyin McLoughlin. “Trust the teacher's judgement when they create a seating plan for example. We cannot tell you the needs of all the children, a lot of thought goes into where the children are sat in class. Speak to the teacher first before consulting social media!”

“Have some trust in school staff,” says secondary school teacher Louise Rose Mansell. “Do not believe everything your child says to be the gospel truth. Investigate it first and support when sanctions need to be put in place. Ask lots of questions whenever you are unsure, we would much rather that, than have you worrying.”

It’s also very important to work with your child’s teacher on behavioural problems and hear both sides of any story before thinking your child is always an angel and the teacher is ‘wrong’.

There may be something seriously upsetting a child who is acting up and together you need to get to the bottom of it. Even if there’s no major reason for the behaviour, it’s not a good example to show a child that you’re siding with them over their teacher because that tells them they can do it again with no consequences.

“Please work with us on behaviour management,” says Hannah Marie. “If they’ve not behaved how they should at school, we need your support to reinforce this message at home.”

Remember there’s one teacher and 30 kids (plus their parents)…

Imagine having 30 kids… now imagine having 30 kids and a constant barrage of emails asking you to make sure each of those 30 kids drinks their recommended amount of water each day, complaining that they came home with their shorts on back to front or to asking you to make sure they get to their piano lesson on time. It’s enough to make you need a lie down in a darkened room.

So, spare a thought for the teachers who successfully multi-task and manage that many kids on a daily basis and still meet you at the school gates with a smile on their face!

“Teachers are there to support every child, and we want every child to do well,” says Kelly Marie N-M. “However, there is only one of us and often over 30 children in a class. We do our best to offer 1:1 but can struggle with the limited resources we have due to lack of government funding.”

Natalie Smith agrees it’s a real juggle and would like parents to remember this: “I have 30 children to teach, help, and support – it isn't just your child. So, no I cannot double check they have had a drink/gone to the toilet/got all their belongings all of the time.”

And don’t fall into the trap of thinking that because teachers get all the school holidays off that they don’t work as hard as the rest of us.

“Most of us work 12-hour days, as well as on weekends and holidays. We’re not complaining, but don’t assume we work 9-3 and get weeks and weeks of holiday!” says primary school teacher Claire Barrett.

Make school and home one seamless learning journey

It’s not just about supporting teachers’ tough decisions though. One of the most valuable ways you can support your child and their teacher’s efforts is by continuing the learning journey at home too. Parents who are positively involved in their kids’ education and engage with a teacher’s work at home make a real difference to a child’s progress.

In fact, there is substantial evidence[1] that parental involvement in a child's education is linked to better academic outcomes as well as improved social and emotional development, so, it might be tiring (and sometimes boring) but it’s worth putting in the extra graft with your child.

“Support your child with their homework, by making dedicated time for it,” says Kelly Marie N-M. “Homework is set to help children absorb the learning that has taken place in the classroom and sets them up for revision in their older years. And encourage them to read – this really is the most amazing key to learning.”

Many of the teachers we spoke to agreed that parents reading with their child was one of the most important things they could do. And teacher Louise Rose Mansell suggested you make it a regular and enjoyable part of your week: “Read for pleasure at home as much as possible – make it a date with hot chocolate and biscuits.”

“The best thing you can do to support your child at school is to read with them every day,” says teacher Claire Barrett. “You can also help them learn their times tables and number bonds (e.g. number bonds to 10 are: 1+9, 2+8, 3+7 etc.). This knowledge will help them across so many areas of maths and is essential. Help them learn spelling too. Ask the teacher for spelling rules rather than just having kids memorising the words.”

Keep up to date with school communications and encourage older students to check too

Drowning in life admin emails? You’re not alone! However, schools rarely send out communications that aren’t important, so it pays to at least give every email a cursory glance before you press delete just in case it contains a nugget of valuable information.

“I’m the operations manager at a primary school,” says Shauni Spafford. “My absolute pet peeve is when parents say the school is terrible at communication, or that they ‘had no idea’ about a show/non uniform day/ school trip despite us sending out emails, letters in bags, a weekly newsletter and Dojo software reminders!”

No child wants to be the only one in uniform on a non-uniform day or the only child without a costume for the show, so even if it feels impossible – try and carve five minutes out your day to check for school communications. Your child (and the school staff) will thank you for it!

Of course, at some point you have to start transferring this responsibility to your secondary school child (who let’s be honest is probably far better with technology than you are anyway!). This is an important step and instead of just presuming they always know what they need at school, you’ll want to oversee the process and encourage them to check their school communication on a daily basis.

“In secondary school students should check Google classroom (or other online learning websites) for homework every day,” says Emma Pez. “There’s no excuse to say they didn’t know!”

Keep teachers in the loop with anything major going on at home

What goes on at home affects school and vice versa. You’d expect your child’s teacher to tell you about anything that might be upsetting or worrying your child at school so you need to extend the same courtesy to them.

They need to know if something is up at home in order to help your child handle any big emotions that erupt in the classroom. It could be something as simple as moving house or a new baby sibling arriving or something much bigger like a worrying medical diagnosis in the family or a divorce.

“EYFS and KS1 children tell their teacher everything – yes really everything – and they often have a much better grasp of what’s going on than you’d think,” says Louise Dz. “So, please tell teachers briefly if there are problems at home… for two reasons. Firstly, so you can work as a team to support your child and secondly so there’s no misunderstanding of what is actually happening.”

Hannah Marie agrees: “Don’t be afraid to share things that are going on at home with the teacher, we are there to help as best we can, and it can help us know what’s wrong if your child behaves differently. And ask us what you can do to support your child!”

Try not to transfer your schooling likes and dislikes onto your kids

Your child might be genetically half you, but that doesn’t mean they are you and they may excel (and not excel) at completely different subjects. Add in the fact that it’s probably been around 20 years since you were last at school (yep really!) and that a lot has changed since, and their educational experience might not reflect yours at all. 

So, saying things like “oh god I hated PE, I was rubbish at it and just hid in the locker rooms” or refusing to help with maths homework because “maths was not my subject – it’s so hard!” can have much bigger consequences for your child than you might realise.

“Please don't say to your kids that you hated maths and weren't good at it,” says teacher Maggie Goffin. “It puts in their mind that they will also struggle and a lot of kids we see resitting GCSE maths can actually pass if they were to try! Instead, they just put a block up and don't try as they think they will just fail, which is really difficult to break down again. Part of maths is getting it wrong and retrying.”

Teacher Nikki Jones agrees about not transferring subject fears: “Never tell them ‘I’m rubbish at maths’ – it’s the biggest confidence killer. I teach primary, and it almost validates for some children that they will never get it and that it’s ok not to try to, as their parents have survived without it.

“Maths anxiety is a huge thing. It’s really hard to break but really easy to create with a few misplaced comments. A good teacher will work with parents to support homework if they are unsure. Teaching them ‘this is how I did it’ is also not helpful as it causes confusion with newer methods.”

Remember times have changed since you were at school so teaching your kids the way you used to do things isn’t a good idea: “Please don’t try and guess how to teach your children phonics or follow under qualified people on social media,” says Claire Barrett. “The alphabet is NOT ah, buh, cuh, duh, eh, fuh. It is not your fault for not knowing something you were never taught but ask your child’s teacher for help or follow someone who knows what they’re talking about.”

So, there you have it—the school parents’ end-of-year report. And while there might be a few areas to work on (we’re looking at you, unlabelled jumpers and glass water bottles), there’s also plenty of time to turn things around. After all, just like our kids, none of us are perfect—but with a little effort, support and teamwork, at next year’s parents’ evening you could be getting top marks all round.

About our expert

Melanie Sanderson is the managing editor at The Good Schools Guide, the only impartial and unbiased source of advice about schools and education which has been helping parents for nearly 40 years. She has advised countless families seeking the right school for their children and reviewed hundreds of prep, grammar, state and independent day and boarding schools. As a parent of two school-aged sons, Melanie fully empathises with other families’ educational dilemmas. 

References:

[1] Kantova, K. (2024). Parental involvement and education outcomes of their children. Applied Economics, 56(48), 5683–5698. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2024.2314569

Read more:

• 7 expert-approved ways to support your child’s learning at home without becoming a pushy parent
• The secret language of school: 44 words you’ll hear on the playground (and what they mean)
• School readiness secrets: what experts say every child should know before starting reception

A new study by The Good Schools Guide, a guide that helps parents make the right educational choices for their children, has found that almost a quarter of parents (23%) now use social media or AI when weighing up schools. And this number is higher — 37% — among Gen Z parents.

This data comes just as Ofsted prepares to launch its long-awaited new ‘report card’ format. But with parents already favouring bite-sized TikToks and parent-to-parent forums over reading long inspection documents, an expert at The Good Schools Guide warns the changes could be arriving too late.

Parents are not reading Ofsted reports

According to the survey, which polled 2000 parents with children aged 4–17 in August 2025, fewer than a third (31%) had used an Ofsted report to help choose their children’s schools.

More than a quarter (26%) of the parents admitted they’d never looked at an Ofsted report when making their decision.

Parents who did consult Ofsted reports often only skimmed them. While 41% said they read the full report for the school they chose, 12% admitted they only glanced at the headline grade.

When it comes to official sources like local authority websites, parents’ interactions were even lower — just 13% of parents turned to local authority sites for exam data.

Instead of reading Ofsted reports, a third (33%) of the Gen Z parents surveyed looked to parenting forums for guidance, showing how word-of-mouth and peer recommendations are shaping the process of choosing schools.

Thanks to TikTok tours of schools, edu-influencers on social media, and AI generated summaries of school reviews, parents have access to lots of other, less official information when it comes to finding out about schools.

Parents who turn to social media could be missing out on vital information

Meanwhile, almost half (46%) of the parents said they wanted more guidance when choosing a school, and 43% called for clearer, more reliable information.

Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, said the shift in where parents are looking for information should raise concerns.

“Parents aren’t reading Ofsted reports anymore, they're watching TikToks,” she says. “That should set alarm bells ringing. Education choices are too important to be left to the mercy of algorithms and bite-sized snapshots from superficial edu-influencers.”

“We know time-pressured parents are crying out for more help to choose the right school but it’s hardly surprising they are turned off by dry and regulatory-based Ofsted reports. They want to know what it is actually like to go to the schools on their shortlist and Ofsted’s new framework still won’t address that.”

“We’d urge parents to gather as many trusted sources of information as they can and piece them together like a jigsaw,” Sanderson advised.

Visiting schools in person, talking to other parents, and checking multiple sources – from Ofsted to independent guides – can give a fuller picture.

Choosing a school can feel overwhelming, but the key takeaway is clear: the more perspectives you gather, the better chance you have of finding the right fit for your child.

The Good Schools Guide, which has historically focused on private education, now has reviews for 1300 state, independent and special schools in the UK, combining data with impartial in-depth on-the-ground research.

Read more:

• School readiness secrets: what experts say every child should know before starting reception
• Choosing the right school for your child with hearing loss
• Nursery choices and places - what to do and when to do it

SEND covers a vast spectrum of conditions. Some are visible, such as cerebral palsy. Others, like dyslexia, ADHD, or anxiety, may be less obvious but are still impactful. These needs can affect learning, communication, physical abilities, and emotional wellbeing – and sometimes all four. 

More than 18% of pupils in all schools across the UK had SEN (special educational needs) support in the year 2023/24. 

The right educational support can make a world of difference to a child’s enjoyment and attainment at school. Understanding what SEND means is the first step towards making sure your child gets the education they deserve.  

We’ve compiled a guide to everything you need to know about SEND and schools, including what extra support children can get and what to look out for when choosing a school. 

It includes expert knowledge from Pearl Barnes, a SEND consultant at SENDISS with 30 years’ experience in SEND provision and teaching, as well as Melanie Sanderson, managing editor at The Good Schools Guide. 

What is SEND, and how can if affect a child’s education? 

SEND is not a single condition but a broad umbrella that covers lots of different needs. “There are too many to list in full,” explains Barnes. But we can group them into four main areas. 

• Mental health conditions and disorders, such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), depression, and anxiety 
• Cognition and learning conditions, such as dyslexia and moderate or severe learning difficulties 
• Physical, medical and sensory needs, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, vision or hearing impairment, and Downs syndrome 
• Communication and interaction conditions, such as autism, aphasia, and developmental language delay. 

The government’s SEND Code Of Practice 2015 says that “more children than many realise” have special educational needs because what is defined as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 is quite broad. The Act says a disability is “a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.” 

“This definition includes sensory impairments, such as those affecting sight or hearing, and long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and cancer,” the Code of Practice says.  

But two children with the same diagnosis might have completely different needs, meaning that SEND support should be flexible, personalised, and reviewed regularly because a child’s needs can change over time. 

Schooling options for children with SEND 

There are a range of school settings that children with SEND can attend across the UK — “Wales and Scotland have a completely different structure altogether and a different code of practice” to England, Pearl says.  

There are specialist schools, which cater to children and young people with severe, profound and complex special educational needs.  

As you can imagine, with 18% of students having special educational needs, it’s not possible to have all of them be educated in one of these schools. So mainstream schools also offer SEN support for children who need it. 

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which we’ll discuss later in this article, allow children with special educational needs to be educated in a way that suits them in mainstream schools. 

“For other children, who will usually have an Education, Health and Care Plan, a special or specialist school – which, for example, has its own team of therapists or focusses on a particular area of need, such as autism, provides the dedicated support that will help them to flourish.” 

Sometimes, what the government calls ‘Alternative Provision’ is relevant for children with SEND. This is defined as “education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education” in Department of Education guidance. It can also be for children on suspensions or who have been sent there to improve their behaviour. 

Pearl warns that many Alternative Provisions “are unregulated and hence it is unclear how supportive these they are.” 

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) 

EHCPs are documents that identify educational, health and social needs, and set out the extra support that children and young people, aged up to 25, should have to meet those needs. 

To get a plan, an EHC assessment needs to be done by a child’s local authority. Parents and anyone who thinks a plan might be necessary can request an EHC assessment, or young people aged 16 to 25 can request one for themselves.  

The local authority will use reports from a child’s school or childcare, doctors’ assessments, and letters from parents to decide whether an EHCP will be made and what will be in it. 

Parents can comment on an EHCP that a local authority drafts. They can request that their child goes to a special school or college, challenge the support that the plan sets out, or question the choice of school in the plan. Parents can also challenge a local authority’s decision not to do an assessment or draft a plan. 

There should be an annual review of EHCPs and how they are working for your child. 

EHCPs can include things like the following: 

• Personal budgets — this allows parents to have a say in how money is spent on support for their child for things like personal assistance, specialist equipment, and personal care 
• Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy 
• Extra support at school, such as having one-to-one support from a teaching assistant 
• Equipment and adaptation — for example, a laptop with voice control software 
• Access to youth clubs and activities 

The charity Scope has lots of information about EHCPs and how to apply for one. 

Children don’t necessarily need an EHCP to ask for extra support in their education.  

“However, EHCPs are legal documents and the support that they include must be delivered and annually reviewed, so if a child is going to need regular support from a specialist such as a speech and language therapist, an EHCP can be a way of ensuring that this is specified and funded,” Melanie says. 

“Not every child will need an EHCP and getting one can be exhausting and time-consuming – but it can be a battle worth fighting. Parents can name their preferred school in the EHCP, which can enable them to access not just mainstream state schools but also more specialist provision,” she says. 

How to choose the best type of education for your child 

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach and the suitability will very much depend upon the child's needs and those of the family,” Pearl says.  

And it “really depends on the level of support required” for your child, Melanie says.  

Scope recommends looking at the following for each school: 

• Whether their specialisms match your child’s needs 
• Their Ofsted ratings and reports 
• Their SEND policies 
• If staff with specialist qualifications or SEND specialisms are available 
• If group or direct support is available 
• The therapies/counselling/physiotherapy available 
• Their bullying and behaviour policies 
• The curriculum and facilities 

Think about the therapies on offer, the class size, and the peer group. Ask whether staff have experience with your child’s condition, and whether they’re open to learning more. 

And it’s also worth considering the school’s culture and ethos and visiting schools in person where you can. Some schools are academically focused but may struggle to support emotional or sensory needs, while others may be more nurturing but have fewer resources to help children academically. 

SEND provision in mainstream schools 

The suitability of a mainstream or special school depends on the child’s needs — specialist schools may offer smaller classes and targeted therapies, while mainstream schools can combine inclusive education with extra support. 

“In a mainstream setting, parents should look for a culture of inclusion and flexibility - an open-door policy, a learning needs department that is visible and often centrally located to dispel any stigma for pupils. Parents should be looking for an empathetic and approachable team with the experience and qualifications to support their child’s needs,” Melanie says. 

There should be a SENCO, or Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Coordinator, who is the lead for SEND in the school. They “should ensure all staff have access to appropriate support and training,” Pearl says. 

“All teachers need to understand the needs of the individual child and how they act as barriers to learning and participation, and how to help mitigate these barriers,” she says. “Every teacher needs to provide accessible, interactive, engaging learning opportunities, which are meaningful, and set achievable challenges.” 

This could mean breaking tasks into smaller steps, offering alternative ways to record work, or using assistive technology. 

Schools can also employ Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) who can facilitate access and provide targeted one-to-one or small group support to children with SEND.  

“For instance, additional phonics, reading, speech and language or motor skills development on a regular basis,” Pearl says. 

What extra help can children get at school? 

The extra support children can get is obviously very tailored to their individual needs. 

“A high-level need may require a high level of one-to-one support. For instance, a bright child who has cerebral palsy may require an amanuensis (a scribe) or practical assistant to help capture their thoughts and ideas. A visually impaired individual may also need a practical assistant, enlarged text or specific accommodations,” Pearl says. 

“A hearing-impaired individual may need a hearing loop, whereas a physically impaired individual may require a lift or movement breaks or an LSA to help with their motor programme. Individuals with dyslexia may require additional learning support to help with reading and writing... the list is endless,” she says. 

And the help that children can get can change over time, too. 

“Many schools adopt an assess, plan, do, review approach – evaluating a child’s possible learning challenges, planning their support, putting this into practice and then evaluating how this is working,” Melanie says. 

Tips for helping a child with SEND succeed 

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and teachers often struggle to understand an individual’s needs within the context of the specific subject. For instance, a child with dyslexia may also struggle in maths due to the memory element,” Pearl says. “Many teachers do not fully understand the barriers to learning, as they do not have the training as part of their initial teacher training. Parents therefore may need to push the school to understand their child's needs.” 

“Look for a school which is inclusive, nurturing and supportive, that has a vision for success and enabling children to achieve their potential, whilst ensuring every child is happy at school,” she says. 

And finally, she says that “parents should familiarise themselves with the SEND code of practice, the Equality Act 2010, and statutory safeguarding regulations, as there are statutory duties upon schools and local authorities, and many are failing in these.” 

The bigger picture: why SEND support matters

“Good class and subject teachers who work with the learning support team to put the support into practice can make a huge difference, overseeing everything from preferential seating at the front of the class to movement breaks and (for younger children) support from teaching assistants,” Melanie says. 

And since nearly a fifth of the school population are children and young people with SEND, Pearl says “it is important that educationalists continue to access a range of support and training to ensure they have the skills to support individual needs.” 

This will “enable children and young people to flourish and achieve their true potential to live independent and rewarding adult lives,” she says. 

“Often it feels that less and less is happening” when it comes to SEND support, “due to over-stretched budgets, misunderstanding of conditions, and the huge influence of the academisation programme (in England), which often draws funding away from those who need it most.” 

But if parents know their stuff and advocate for their children, they can access support that can be life changing and enable them to live an independent, fulfilling adult life. 

From LSAs and EHCPs to differentiation and blending, there are now a bunch of new words, acronyms, and abbreviations that schools use that you might not have heard used past the school gates.  

We’ve collated the latest vocab you might need to translate the playground gossip and classroom dispatches. Of course, not all schools use the same vocabulary, but it might be useful to brush up on these common terms before your first parents’ evening! 

Curriculum and learning 

Comprehension: The ability to read a text and answer questions to show you understand it. This forms part of pupils’ English education — you can think of it as the precursor to English Language lessons in secondary school. 

Differentiated curriculum/homework: Differentiation is when class work or homework is tailored to different students’ abilities so they can engage with the curriculum most effectively.  

Digital literacy: The ability to find, evaluate, and communicate information on digital platforms, preparing children to live in a society which relies on technology. 

Fine motor skills: Skills that involve smaller movements with the hands, like writing or colouring, buttoning clothes up, and playing with toys. 

Gross motor skills: Skills that involve the whole body moving, like walking, jumping, and standing, as well as hand-eye coordination skills like throwing and catching.  

Learning objective (LO)/We are learning to (WALT): These acronyms are used at the start of lessons to tell pupils what they are expected to learn in each lesson. 

PSED (Personal, Social, and Emotional Development): Schools are required to make sure that children are able to develop personal, social, and emotional skills in the curriculum. 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): An acronym used to describe these subjects. Some schools specialise in STEM subjects, but they tend to be embedded in the national curriculum, 

STEAM: STEM plus Arts subjects (including humanities, music, drama) 

Learning to read 

Blending: Bringing the different sounds made by phonemes together to say a full word.  

Grapheme: The letters that make up phonemes — for example, the actual letters ‘f’ and ‘th.’  

High-frequency words: The most common words in written texts, including ​‘the’ and ​‘and.’ 

Phoneme: One “unit” of sound that makes up a word — for example the noise you make when you read out ‘f’ or ‘th.’ 

Phonics: A way of teaching children to read that involves matching sounds (phonemes) to letters or groups of letters (graphemes). This means they can break down words and sound them out, so they can read any word instead of memorising the sounds of certain words.  

SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar): An aspect of writing that kids focus on at primary school. 

Maths 

Number bonds: Pairs of numbers that add up to make a certain number. Children become familiar with them so they can use them to break down sums into more manageable chunks (for example, a child might know the number bonds 3+7 and 2+8 add up to 10). 

Number line: A visual representation of numbers along a line that children can use to work out maths problems. 

Number sentence: How you write out a sum, with numbers and symbols — for example, ‘6-2=4’ is a number sentence. 

Partitioning: Breaking down a number into smaller parts to help solve a maths problem — for example, 25+18 can be broken down into (20+10) and (5+8). 

Tests and assessments 

CAT tests (Cognitive Ability Tests): These tests assess pupils’ abilities, focusing on their potential to learn rather than what they already know. They are usually used in schools to figure out what sets children should be in and are designed for children aged six and up. 

Formative assessment: Informal assessments that happen throughout the learning process to identify areas for improvement.  

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests): English and Maths tests that pupils take at the end of Key Stage 1/Year 2 and at the end of Key Stage 2/Year 6. They are based on the national curriculum and ask questions on things children should have been taught at school, so they don’t need to prepare or revise for them. 

Summative assessment: Formal assessments that happen at the end of terms of school years that evaluate pupils’ knowledge. 

Well-being and pastoral care 

EHA (Early Help Assessment): A process used to identify children and families who need support from multiple organisations, for example from healthcare providers and social services as well as school. 

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant): A teaching assistant who is trained to provide special support for pupils who might have social, emotional and mental health challenges. 

Transition: The process of moving from one classroom, key stage, school, or support style to another 

Special needs and accessibility 

EAL (English as an Additional Language): Children who haven’t grown up speaking English as their first language might need some extra support at school as they gain fluency in English.  

EHCP/EHC Plan (education, health and care plan): A document that outlines the educational, health, and social support needs of children and young people with special educational needs. Children can get one of these after their local authority carries out an assessment, and it outlines things like the support they are entitled to, the school that they can go to, and a budget that can be spent on educational support for them. 

Gifted and Talented/G&T, More able, or High Learning Potential: Children who are attaining at a high level at school, and who may need differentiated schoolwork or enrichment activities.  

Learning Difficulties and Disabilities: A learning difficulty is a condition that affects how someone learns, or how they understand and process information. This is different from a learning disability, which can affect someone’s general intellect.  

People with Down’s syndrome, epilepsy, or autism might have a learning disability, while more well-known examples of learning difficulties are dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. Both learning difficulties and disabilities exist on a scale of severity. 

SEN/SEND: Special Educational Needs/ Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 

SENCO: Special Educational Needs Coordinator — usually a teacher, who is responsible for the SEND provision in a school. 

Mainstream school: A school that follows the national curriculum and which the majority of children in the UK attend. These schools may be able to take on students with SEND, but they aren’t exclusively focused on these children.  

PLPs (Personalised Learning Plans) and ISPs (Individual Support Plans): Documents that outline unique learning objectives for children and any specific needs they have, as well as how schools will support them and meet those needs.  

Special school: A school that specifically caters to students with SEND. They might have a bigger focus on life skills and can offer specialist support. 

Organisational 

ECT: Early Career Teacher. Teachers are ECTs for two years after qualifying and get more support and mentoring during this time. 

INSET day: A day off for children while teachers do training. It stands for In-Service Education and Training. 

LA (Local Authority): The local council that has jurisdiction over your child’s school, including budget, curriculum, and staffing. 

LSA (Learning Support Assistant): LSAs work with students who need extra help at school, for example with children with SEND or behavioural difficulties. While TAs usually work with the whole class, LSAs tend to work with one student or a small group and provide more tailored support.  

NQT: A Newly Qualified Teacher (this term has now been replaced by ECT). 

OFSTED: Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They inspect and regulate educational establishments and services involved in the care of young people.  

PTA: Parent Teacher Association 

SLT: The Senior Leadership Team, usually including the headteacher and any other leaders who manage the running of a school.  

TA (Teaching Assistant): TAs provide teachers with extra support in the classroom, but they don’t require a teaching qualification. 

There are lots of ways for parents to get involved with their child’s education: you can help with the practicalities by introducing a homework schedule, make play or entertainment more educational, buy worksheets and books to help with specific subjects, or even hire a tutor. 

With so many options, the world of at home educational help can be confusing — so we’ve got a guide to help you figure out what’s best for your child. 

We spoke to Dr. Sasha Hall, a senior educational psychologist at Hall and Co Eps, about how to help your child’s learning without overwhelming or pressuring them. 

She says: “Additional support should empower, not overwhelm. The goal is to help them thrive, not to add more pressure to their already busy lives.” 

Health and wellbeing 

The first thing parents should think about when trying to support their children’s education at home isn’t actually their education — it’s their general health and wellbeing, because children can learn best when they are happy and healthy. 

“Do not underestimate the power of routines, predictable rhythms around sleep, meals, and study times, which help children feel secure and prepared for learning,” Sasha says. “Supporting your child does not require perfection, just presence, patience, and perspective.” 

“Encourage play, free time, and rest alongside structured learning,” she adds. 

Having a healthy breakfast can be a great way to start off your child’s school day. Lindsey MacDonald, chief executive at the children’s charity Magic Breakfast, says: “Breakfast has a bigger impact on children’s learning than many people realise. A nutritious start to the day helps pupils concentrate, stay focused and feel ready to take part in school. This is why school breakfasts improve education outcomes as well as health outcomes. They also support emotional wellbeing, confidence and a child's sense of belonging at school.” 

“At Magic Breakfast, we see every day how something as simple as breakfast can help children and young people thrive — not just in the classroom, but in their friendships, routines and futures. It’s a small moment that sets the tone for the whole day and every child deserves that start.” 

Nurture a healthy mindset around education  

On top of the physical, parents can help build their children’s emotional wellbeing too, which will help them build resiliency and a positive attitude towards their schooling. 

Sasha says: “As parents, how we approach challenges, learning, mistakes, and rest powerfully shapes how our children do the same. If they see us trying something new, talking about our effort rather than success, or admitting when we are tired or unsure, they learn those behaviours are okay too.  

“Also, connection always comes before learning. If a child feels emotionally safe and understood, they are far more likely to thrive academically.” 

When talking about school, Sasha recommends the following: 

• Start by actively listening to how they are feeling about schoolwork and notice when they seem overwhelmed. 
• Celebrate effort over results to build motivation that comes from within. 
• Avoid comparing your child to others as every child develops at their own pace, and if your child starts making comparisons, help them reframe it with empathy and perspective. 

“When you collaborate with your child in goal setting and decision-making, they are more likely to stay engaged and emotionally healthy,” she adds. 

Learning through play and entertainment  

“Learning through play is key, as children learn best when they are enjoying the process,” Sasha says. “Outdoor and interactive play, such as arts and crafts, can be incredibly effective and does not need to be expensive or tech based.” 

“In fact, low-tech, free or inexpensive activities often offer more developmental value than screens or paid-for tools. You do not need to reinvent the wheel, keep it simple, joyful, and led by your child’s curiosity,” she says. 

MadeForMums compiled a list of the best learning, logic and STEM toys for the MadeForMums Toy Awards 2024, including board games and science kits. 

Other ways to learn this way include educational videos on YouTube, like those by Ms. Rachel; TV programmes like Horrible Histories; and doing puzzles and word games. 

Plus, nurturing a reading habit in children can go a long way: a 2023 study found a strong link between children who began reading for pleasure at an early age, and better performance in cognitive tests and at school. Plus, a 2015 study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies found that better reading skills in childhood were associated with higher wages at ages 38 and 42. 

For kids who can’t be tempted away from their phones, TikTok has launched their #SummerSkills Programme, which is running over the summer holidays, with TikTok Lives streamed on different topics each week. This includes a STEM week, a Literature week, and a Wellbeing week. 

Helping with homework 

“Parental support with homework should be minimal and strategic. The aim is to scaffold, not complete, the task for them. This encourages independence, problem-solving and genuine learning,” Sasha says. 

“Focus on helping your child develop skills like how to research, think critically and persevere through challenges,” she adds. 

The easiest way to help with children’s homework is to provide a space where they can do their homework each day, whether that’s the kitchen table, a desk in their room, taking them to the library. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just make it clean and consistent. 

Depending on your child, you can also create a routine for them, so they know when they have the time to do their homework. Try not to make homework a chore, and instead just make it part of their daily after-school routine. 

Doing your children’s homework for them can send the message that their work has to be perfect all the time, or that they don’t have to put effort in at school. 

“Praise their effort, not just their results, and let them make mistakes. This builds emotional resilience and prepares them for lifelong learning,” Sasha says. “Your role is to guide, not direct, give them room to grow and develop a healthy, positive attitude toward learning.” 

Extra resources 

There are loads of apps, websites, books, etc out there that promise extra-curricular learning for children. 

The parental support charity Parentkind has compiled a list of the best resources to help your child learn at home, including the coding platform Scratch, cross-curricular BBC Bitesize, PhonicsPlay which helps parents understand phonics, and Oak National Academy which has resources for kids in reception through Year 10.  

You can also chat to your child’s teacher about extra resources — the school may have preferred platforms that match their teaching styles, or access to paid services that you can use at home. 

When should you look into tutoring for your child? 

“Before exploring tutoring or extra resources, consider your child’s whole environment. Is the homework appropriate for their stage? Speak with their teacher or the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator first. Sometimes, the work simply needs adjusting or your child may need extra support strategies in class or at home. It is important to try all in-school and at-home supports before investing externally,” Sasha says. 

If you do decide to go down the tutoring route, there are different types of tutoring you can choose, and you should figure out what would work best for your child and their academic goals.  

Here are some different types of tutoring to explore: 

• Teens and young adults in your community 
• Established chains of tutoring centres like ExploreLearning and Kumon 
• Independent tutoring centres 
• Online tutoring 
• Tutoring for specific exams or events, like the 11+, GCSEs, or A Levels. 

It's important to note that children don’t need tutoring for SATs — they are supposed to test their skills and attainment using what they have learned from the national curriculum at school, not how much they know. 

“Think about cost — tutoring and extra materials should never be a financial strain,” Sasha says. “If it is affordable, and your child is still struggling despite other changes, then tutoring may help, but include your child in the decision. If they understand the purpose of tutoring and feel part of the process, they are more likely to engage positively.” 

Can co-curricular activities enhance a child’s education?  

Co-curricular activities are different to extra curriculars. Where extra curriculars are separate to any education your child receives, co-curriculars intertwine with and enrich your child’s education. 

Examples might include:  

• Drama and dance classes 
• Playing an instrument 
• Academic clubs like debate clubs and science clubs 
• Partaking in youth councils.  

Extra curriculars have a reputation as expensive and time-consuming, with parents having to drive around all day dropping kids off. But co-curriculars don’t have to cost much or involve leaving the house at all — think learning to code on a laptop, learning an instrument through online lessons or free YouTube videos, or painting. 

Don’t feel pressure to pack your child’s schedule with extra or co-curricular activities, though.  

“If every moment is scheduled, they lose the opportunity to reflect, make connections, and enjoy being children,” Sasha says.  

Be careful not to overdo it, or kids might burn out 

It’s important to remember that “overloading children with extra educational activities can negatively impact both their progress and mental health,” Sasha says. “Learning takes time, and children need downtime to process new information through rest and play. Unstructured time is not wasted time, it is when creativity, imagination, and self-regulation develop.” 

“If a child is constantly busy, they might begin to resist learning altogether. It is essential to strike a balance: nurture their curiosity and challenge them when appropriate, while giving them the space to breathe. The best learning often happens when children are relaxed, having fun, and feel safe to explore without pressure,” she says. 

Trying to make every moment educational “can also send the message that their value is tied to achievement and productivity, which can lead to anxiety or low self-esteem,” she adds. 

Children may also burn out if they are under too much academic pressure. 

Here’s how to tell if a child is burned out: 

• Changes in behaviour and mood, like becoming resistant to school or homework, or showing reluctance and tears 
• Increased irritability and angry outbursts 
• Fatigue 
• Difficulties with focus and memory 
• A lack of interest in things they once enjoyed 
• Struggling to make decisions 
• Sleep and appetite can also change 

“These signs can be subtle at first but build over time if unaddressed. It is important not to dismiss this as just a “bad mood” or “laziness” — burnout is real and can affect a child’s emotional well-being and academic engagement,” Sasha says. 

If you think your child may be burned out, “the key is to tune in, observe, and allow for gentle conversations about how they are feeling,” Sasha says. “If they are showing signs of overwhelm, they likely need rest, reduced expectations, and a supportive space to recharge. Recognising and responding early makes a huge difference to their long-term resilience.” 

The idea of ‘school readiness’ can be intimidating, because children develop skills at different paces, and some children will be almost a whole year younger than others in their class. But whether your little one is barely out of pull-ups or can count to 50, there are things you can do to help them be as prepared and confident ahead of their first day at school. 

We spoke to Felicity Gillespie, Chief Executive of Kindred², a charity focused on early years development about getting ready to start reception. 

“Every child is different and day one of Reception isn’t a pass or fail based on a fixed measure of ‘readiness’,” Felicity says. “Starting school is simply a new stage in your child’s learning journey that began before birth. The goal is for your child to enjoy this next learning adventure.” 

“Children learn differently and at different paces, but it’s helpful to know the sorts of skills and behaviours to support your child in developing at different stages.” 

Kindred² is part of a group of early years organisations which has agreed, in conjunction with the government, on a set of key life skills that schools hope children will develop before their first day. You can check out all of these skills and behaviours at www.startingreception.co.uk. 

If you want to support your child in learning these skills, we asked Felicity for her tips. 

What should a child be able to do before they start reception? 

The Starting Reception website has a full list of skills that children should ideally have before their first day. These broadly fall into the following categories: 

• Taking care of themselves independently — e.g. using the toilet by themselves, being okay with spending time away from parents, getting dressed 

• Play and creativity — e.g. imaginative play, drawing and sticking, engaging with story books 

• Building relationships — e.g. taking turns and sharing, talking about their feelings, recognising what others are feeling 

• Communicating and listening — e.g. talking to others, recognising their name (on labels, for example), listening and paying attention for short periods, following simple instructions 

• Physical development — e.g. being able to be active for three hours a day, walking up and down steps, running, catching a large ball, doing crafts 

• Healthy routines — e.g. waking up and getting ready for school, trying new foods, limiting screen time to healthy amounts 

“Learning about spending time away from you and being looked after by other caring adults will help to build confidence. Practising paying attention for short periods, sticking with a task even when it’s tricky, and bouncing back if things go wrong are the sorts of skills that will help your child thrive,” Felicity says. 

Why is school-readiness so important? 

“Having the ability to dress themselves, feed themselves, use the toilet and follow basic instructions will help them to be able to take full advantage of the opportunities that Reception class has to offer,” Felicity says. 

And being school ready also has benefits for the whole class. 

“Unless they are diagnosed with medical needs, no child should be starting school in nappies. If a child is still in nappies when they start school, it’s not just their learning that is interrupted for nappy changes. With two members of staff required to attend every nappy change, it’s also hugely disruptive to all the other children,” Felicity says. 

Plus, “early gaps in learning often widen over time,” so making sure your child is best placed to start school will have resounding effects all throughout their education and later life. 

Schools and parents are in a “vital partnership,” she says, to help children develop, where schools look after structured learning and teach the foundational elements of the national curriculum and where parents look after children’s wellbeing and development outside of academics. 

“It’s crucial to underline that parents are the first educators, the ones who model and reinforce behaviours daily. For example, schools teach the academic side of problem-solving while parents teach the real-world application of it through everyday challenges,” Felicity says. 

And there are benefits that reach outside of the classroom. Felicity says that research[1] shows that the more children who are school ready before starting reception, the lower the costs of education, health, welfare and the justice system in later years.  

“Every pound we put into the early years of child development helps give every child the best start but also saves the taxpayer an estimated thirteen pounds in reduced need for state interventions later in life,” she says. 

“We know that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are often less likely to be school-ready, so the target is also aiming to reduce inequality.” 

What happens if a child can’t do these things before they start school? 

“We understand that all children develop at their own pace and that we’re all learning from birth. Schools will continue to meet the needs of children at whatever point they are in their development across the areas of building independence, relationships, communication and physical development,” Felicity says.  

“Your child will be meeting lots of new people and making new friends. So, having the speaking and listening skills to help them build relationships and express their feelings will help them make the transition more easily and with confidence.” 

“Of course, if your child has developmental delays of SEND (suspected or confirmed) you should speak to their nursery, childminder, or health visitor well before they start reception and discuss their needs when you are selecting schools,” she says. 

Don’t stress about more advanced skills 

You can help your child with more advanced skills, like reading and writing, if they seem ready and you have the resources — but you don’t need to worry about as they will be taught in school.  

“It’s really important not to feel pressured into trying to develop skills that they absolutely don’t need at this stage!” Felicity says. 

“Whilst it’s helpful if they can recognise the shape of their name on a coat peg, for instance, nobody will expect them to know all their letters!” 

What can parents do to help their child before they start school? 

“The simplest things can make such a difference,” Felicity says. 

Here are some things you can do to help your child tick off the list of school-ready requirements: 

• Build their communication skills by chatting to your child as you go about your day and giving them space to speak back. 
• Support them to be more independent in getting dressed and putting their coat and shoes on. 
• Encourage them to use cutlery to eat. 
• Help them learn to make deliberate marks like lines and circles with a crayon. 
• Strengthen their grip with cutting and sticking activities. 
• Help them to recognise the shape of their name on a coat peg (even if they can’t actually read it properly yet). 
• Build their confidence without you by leaving them to be cared for by others. 
• Encourage them to be able to play on their own and with other children. 

And here are things you can do directly ahead of your child starting reception to ease the transition: 

• Talk through the school day — tell your child about the day’s structure and the name of their teacher, and describe what playtime, circle time, and lunchtime are. You might need to describe the hands up rule, too, in case your child hasn’t come across it in nursery or elsewhere. You could also describe what you felt when you started school to reduce their nerves.  
• If possible, try a run-through of a school morning, including getting up early, eating breakfast, and commuting to school before the big day, so kids know what to expect.  If a full run-through isn’t realistic, practising just the journey to school can help, whether that’s a walk or bus ride to school, or driving past the building and figuring out parking spots.  
• Read books and watch TV programmes about the first day of school. Kids might feel reassured by watching their favourite characters feeling the same things as them — and hopefully ultimately having a good first day! 
• Make sure your kids know their full names. If you tend to call your child by a nickname, make sure they know what their official name (that will appear on a register) is. And make sure they know their surname in case there is another child in their class with the same first name. 
• Try the uniform on and practice wearing it for a while. Uniforms can feel unfamiliar to children used to wearing jeans or joggers all day, and there might be sensory issues that you will want to try to address before the stressful morning of the first day. So, get your child to try on their uniform and tell you how it feels. They can also practice getting changed in and out of their PE kit with you, so they know what to do when it comes to the real thing. 
• In a similar vein, make sure your child is used to wearing a backpack, and can comfortably carry what they need to take to school in it. If it’s too heavy, consider a smaller water bottle, or bringing a separate bag that they can carry in their hands. 
• Make sure they can go to the toilet, wipe, flush, and wash their hands by themselves. 
• If your child is an only child, hasn’t gone to nursery, or doesn’t come into contact with other children much, try to increase their interactions with other kids in the run up to starting school. This will make suddenly being in a class of up to 30 children less overwhelming.  

“If you are stuck or worried or unsure, the most important thing is to reach out to your Family Hub, health visitor, nursery or childminder, or GP quickly. Parenting can sometimes feel lonely, so it’s good to speak to local groups and services for support,” Felicity says. 

It's never too early to start thinking about school readiness 

“For parents of younger children, don’t wait until your child turns three” to start thinking about these things, Felicity says. “Every interaction is impactful right from birth.” 

Here are some things you can start doing early with your children to help their development and make the transition to reception easier, whenever it comes: 

• Look at story books together and talk about them 
• Sing nursery rhymes to and with them 
• Encourage your child to talk about how they are feeling and why 
• Get outside when you can to play or just kick a ball about 

“There’s so much great guidance and ideas for fun games and things to try at home – look for the links to resources from organisations like Parentkind, the NHS and the BBC, and tips on skills like potty training from national experts at startingreception.co.uk,” Felicity says.  

References:  

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80a5bb40f0b62305b8c59e/School_readiness_10_Sep_15.pdf 

• Jump to our list of the best school shoes

In our 'The Big School Uniform Survey 2025', 302 parents of school-age children answered our questions about their experience buying school shoes, and we've used their responses to roundup the 10 best school shoes for boys and girls in 2025 that will suit a variety of needs and a range of budgets.

We've considered the size and width options that each retailer provides, the range of styles available, plus what type of fitting services they offer to compile our list of the best place to buy school shoes.

For more back to school ready ideas, check out our roundups of the best kids water bottles, top pencil cases and best name labels.

Best school shoe retailers for 2025

• Best all-round school shoe retailer: Clarks, from £25
• Best school shoes for support: Start-Rite, from £40
• Best supermarket retailer for school shoes: George at Asda, from £6
• Best for timeless school shoes: Marks & Spencer, from £14
• Best school shoes for durability: Kickers, from £30
• Best school shoes for all seasons: Geox, from £42.50 — Girls and Boys
• Best school shoe retailer for sustainable options: Schuh, from £18
• Best school shoes for fun designs: Deichmann, from £12.99
• Best school shoe retailer for variety: Next, from £18
• Best budget school shoe retailer: Shoe Zone, from £7.99

Jump to:

• Where can I buy school shoes?
• What to consider when buying new school shoes
• When should I replace my child's school shoes?
• Do I need to get my child's feet measured in store?

Best school shoes for girls and boys to buy in 2025, recommended by parents

1. Clarks, from £25

— Best all-round school shoe retailer

Sizes: Infant 7 to Adult 10, half sizes available | Widths available: Narrow, standard, wide and extra wide | Fitting service available: At home or in store | Range: Over 50 girls styles, over 40 boys styles available | Price range: £25-£56 | Buy: In store, online and selected retailers

Pros: 

• Durable and long-lasting
• Variety of fitting services available
• Multiple widths
• Half sizes available

Cons: 

• Expensive

With over 200 years of expertise, it's no surprise that Clarks remains a firm favourite amongst parents for the best place to buy school shoes and this year, the shoe retailer won our award for Best all-round school shoe retailer in this guide.

We asked 302 parents with school-age children from across the UK to answer some questions about school shoes in our 'The Big School Uniform Survey 2025', and over 33% told us that they believe Clarks sells the best children's school shoes.

Clarks' school shoes are known for their durability: the shoes are made from robust materials and have hardwearing soles. Clarks also says that its school shoes must pass 60 rigorous tests to ensure they're designed to last.

Clarks offers a huge variety of school shoes — not just different styles and designs, but also an impressive range of width options and half sizes to ensure you can find the best fit for your child. There are several different fastening styles available such as laces and zips, but the most popular understandably being handy riptape straps. There are also plenty of other helpful features to choose from too, such as machine washable pairs, odour-free options and shoes made from recycled materials and ones that use responsible leather.

Some of the most popular designs include the Steggy Tail Kid trainer style shoes for boys from £49 — they feature cool dinosaur designs, and have a rubber toe bumper and odour control technology. For girls, there's the sweet Dance Beam Kid shoes (pictured) which have a durable, hardwearing rubber sole and come with an adjustable riptape strap for a perfect fit. Clarks also has plimsolls that start at around £10.

Clarks is also popular amongst parents due to their fitting service. You can book a measure and fit appointment for your child's feet at any Clarks store and this can be easily booked online. Alternatively, Clarks also sells foot gauges and has a handy online guide that talks you through how to measure your child's feet if you would prefer to do it at home.

Buy now: Clarks, Very and John Lewis girls/boys

2. Start-Rite, from £40

— Best school shoes for support

Sizes: Infant 2 to Adult 11, half sizes available | Widths available: Narrow, standard, wide and extra wide | Fitting service available: At home only | Range: 189 styles available | Price range: £40-£70 | Buy: In store, online and selected retailers

Pros: 

• Expertly designed
• Robust and comfortable
• Good range of styles available
• Multiple widths
• Half sizes available

Cons: 

• Expensive

Start-Rite shoes are durable, practical and have been thoughtfully engineered to provide long-lasting comfort and protection for growing feet. The lightweight soles are flexible and have been expertly designed to help your child's feet to perform naturally at each stage of their development. Plus, the fabrics used are suited to the movement that children's feet naturally follow. Also, with nearly 200 styles to choose from you'll be sure to pick a design that suits your child — whether you're looking for brogues, slip-ons, lace-ups, T-bars or trainers.

Although they're one of the more expensive styles, the Rhino Warrior shoe (pictured) for boys at £65 remain one of the most popular designs, and with good reason. They're very robust, have breathable mesh linings and scuff-resistant toe and heel bumpers. Plus, the ankle area is padded to provide support and the insole is removable, too. They also have a riptape fastening making them easy for your child to fasten and adjust themselves.

Start-Rite offers a measuring gauge that you can order online. Alternatively, you can either download a free paper gauge online or use SizeWise — this service uses a digital scan of your child's feet to quickly tell you their Start-Rite size. You can choose from 5 different width options and there are half sizes available too. Once you have the shoes, there is also an expert guide that helps you check that the fit is accurate once the shoes arrive.

Buy now: Start-Rite, Amazon and John Lewis

3. George at Asda, from £6

— Best supermarket retailer for school shoes

Sizes: Infant 8 to Adult 8 | Widths available: Standard or wide fit | Fitting service available: At home only | Range: 101 styles available | Price range: £6-£21 | Buy: In store or online

Pros:

• Great value
• Good range of styles available

Cons: 

• Limited width options available
• No half sizes available

If you're looking for a reliable pair of school shoes at a value price then George at Asda is a great option. Although there aren't as many styles available when compared with retailers such as Start-Rite or Deichmann, they still stock an impressive range of their own branded shoes in a good amount of different designs.

For girls, you can choose from ballet shoes, Mary Janes and penny loafers plus shoes with bows and butterfly or flower detailing and even shoes with Disney characters on such as Minnie Mouse. For boys, there is a choice of classic and sporty styles, lace up trainers, moccasins and even light up and superhero character options too.

One of the most popular styles for boys is the Marvel Spider-Man Black Light Up School Shoes (pictured)
which start from £18. Not only do they have a (subtle) character design, but there is an easy fastening hook and loop tape strap and a flexible gripped sole.

For girls, one of the most popular designs is the super simple, classic Mary Jane style that start at £14. They're patent leather and have many of the same features as the Marvel shoes, such as a scuff-resistant finish, easy fastening and a gripped chunky sole — plus Microfresh lining to keep the shoes fresher for longer. Asda also stocks black plimsolls that start at £4.

Asda doesn't offer any type of fitting service, but does have an online Shoe Size Foot Measuring Guide that demonstrates how to measure your child's feet at home. There is also a helpful gauge on each shoe online that details whether parents think the shoe comes up small or large. There are some wide fit options available — 8 for girls and 12 for boys — but this is not across every style and there is no narrow or extra wide option.

Buy now: George at Asda

4. Marks & Spencer, from £14

— Best for timeless school shoes

Sizes: Infant 8 to Adult 10, half sizes available | Widths available: Narrow, standard and wide fit available | Fitting service available: At home only| Range: 213 styles including 87 from M&S | Price range: £14-£40 for M&S brand | Buy: In store or online

Pros:

• Durable
• Multiple widths
• Half sizes available
• Great range of styles

Cons: 

• Can be expensive

Considering that M&S was awarded Most Trusted School Uniform Brand in the annual MadeForMums School Uniform Awards, it's no surprise that the quality and longevity of their uniform extends to include their school shoes, too. M&S sells a sizeable collection of its own branded shoes, as well as shoes from Clarks and Kickers.

Shoes from M&S have a ton of features that make them durable and comfortable including an antibacterial Freshfeet finish which will help your child's feet to feel fresher for longer. Other clever features you should look out for on their shoes include breathable, soft knit linings, underfoot padding for extra comfort, soft collar padding to prevent rubbing and Insolia technology that ensures supportive wear for young feet. As expected, there are a ton of design options and various styles on offer from M&S too including traditional styles and more novelty options.

One great traditional option is the Leather Lace-Up Brogues (pictured). These smart shoes have most of the features mentioned above plus they have been made with quality leather. Or, if you're looking for a pair that will be easier for your child to put on and off themselves, there are plenty of great riptape options such as the Leather Freshfeet School Shoes, or the Patent Leather School Shoes which have a cute, glittery floral detailing on the toe. M&S also stocks black plimsolls from £7.

M&S doesn't offer any in-store fitting, but there is an online guide that explains how to measure your child's feet, find their size and then check the fit correctly once the shoes arrive.

Buy from: Marks & Spencer

5. Kickers, from £30

— Best school shoes for durability

Sizes: Infant 5 to Adult 12, half sizes available | Widths available: Standard fit only | Fitting service available: At home only | Range: 132 styles available | Price range: £30-£99 | Buy: Online and in selected retailers

Pros: 

• Durable and long-lasting
• Good range of designs and styles available including sustainable options
• Half sizes available

Cons: 

• Expensive
• Only standard width available

Another stalwart of the school shoe world is Kickers. Kickers has been making shoes for over 50 years and they remain a firm favourite amongst parents. They are one of the more expensive brands on our list with the lowest price for girls being £30, and they start at a whopping £46 for boys. However, the quality is undeniable and the durable soles and leather uppers are sure to last. A lot of their shoes have some other great features too such as cushioned foam beds, mesh linings and padded heel collars to make sure that the shoes are comfortable for your child.

There are over 200 styles to choose from and there are a range of collections you can explore, too, including durable and scruff-proof, easy-fasten, vegan and sparkles, glitter and fun too. The most popular style of Kickers is the classic Unisex Kick Lo which is £60 — admittedly amongst the most expensive on our list. It's made from a recycled mesh lining and has a rubber sole with a lace up fastening. If you're looking for something that might be easier for your child to take on and off themselves, Kickers also have the Unisex Tovni Twin at £50 which has two hook and loop straps and a slip resistant sole so they're ready for the playground.

In terms of fitting, Kickers' measuring service is online only. They provide a free measuring guide which you can print out and use at home. Although Kickers does offer half sizes, they don't offer any alternatives to standard width so if your child has narrow or wide feet — they may not be the best option for you.

Get 10% OFF at Kickers with code: THE LONDON PODIATRIST from 30th June 2025 at 10 am to 31st September 2025 at 10 am.

Buy now: Kickers — Primary and Secondary, Amazon and John Lewis

6. Geox, from £42.50

— Best school shoes for all weathers

Sizes: Infant 7 to Adult 10, half sizes available | Widths available: Standard fit only | Fitting service available: At home only | Range: 27 styles available | Price range: £42.50-£77.50 | Buy: In store or online

Pros:

• Great technology
• Durable and robust
• Breathable
• Waterproof options

Cons:

• Only standard width available
• Expensive
• Limited range

Geox has the most limited range available on our list and the shoes are amongst the most expensive but we think the technology used and the features included make the shoes worth it. They have all been designed with a system devised by Geox to provide great breathability, plus there's an antibacterial footbed that is removable on all of their shoes.

Despite its limited range, there are still tons of features, designs and different types of fastenings to choose from. Choose from slip ons, lace up trainers, loafers, formal lace up styles, chunky soles, ballerina flats and more. We're particularly impressed by designs such as the Savage Boy (pictured) that is perfect for the winter months. The shoes are not only comfortable and breathable, but they are water-resistant with a grippy, durable rubber sole.

Fitting again is online only, with an online guide advising you how to do it. Half sizes are available, but there are no options for narrow or extra wide fit.

Buy from: Geox — Girls and Boys, and Very

7. Schuh, from £18

— Best school shoe retailer for sustainable options

Sizes: Infant 4 to Adult 12, half sizes available in some brands | Widths available: Standard | Fitting service available: At home or in store | Range: Over 240 styles available including 58 from the Schuh brand | Price range: £18-£40 for Schuh brand | Buy: In store and online

Pros: 

• Good range of different brands
• Schuh branded shoes have good sustainable options
• Variety of fitting services available

Cons: 

• Only standard width available

High street retailer Schuh not only sells shoes from popular brands such as Adidas, Dr. Martens, Geox, Kickers, Lelli Kelly and Nike, but they also have an impressive range of their own branded range of school shoes too. The Schuh brand offers the classic designs of school shoes that you would expect — loafers, brogues, T-bars, trainers and ballerina styles — and most tend to be plain leather or patent without too many extra details or embellishments. Plus, over 80% of their styles are Vegan friendly and they have a good range of sustainable options, too.

Although the designs are simple, a lot of the shoes Schuh offers include effective features. One of their more popular styles, the Lolly Bow TBar for girls are £38 (pictured). They have a durable, chunky sole, and a sweet bow design.

Schuh offers both an in-store fitting service as well as multiple online options. All Schuh stores that sell their kids shoes have experienced staff that are trained to offer an expert fitting service in under 20 minutes. If you prefer to shop online, you can either download and print out the measuring guide, or you can get a size recommendation for Schuh branded shoes using the handy online tool, FitFinder. This calculates what size your child will need based on a pair of shoes they already wear from another brand such as Nike, Skechers or Converse. Unfortunately, if you need a wide fitting option then Schuh may not be the best retailer to visit  — at time of writing there were not any Wide Fit options available in their school shoes.

Buy now: Schuh and Very

8. Deichmann, from £12.99

— Best school shoes for fun designs

Sizes: Infant 5 to Adult 12 | Widths available: Only standard fit in the Deichmann-exclusive brands, wider fit available in Hush Puppies Dual Fit range | Fitting service available: At home or in store | Range: 434 styles available, included 123 from Deichmann-exclusive brands | Price range: £12.99-£29.99 for Deichmann brand | Buy: In store or online

Pros:

• Good value
• Good range of different brands
• Lots of fun designs to choose from
• Variety of fitting services available

Cons:

• May not be as durable as other brands
• No half sizes available
• Only standard width available in Deichmann-exclusive brands

Deichmann, like Schuh, also sells a really impressive selection of school shoe brands such as Kickers, Adidas, Hush Puppies, Clarks and Start-Rite — with over 400 different styles to choose from. They also stock brands exclusive to Deichmann — Cupcake Couture, Graceland and Memphis One — that offer great value. Starting at just £14.99, there are plenty of designs to choose from including both sporty and classic styles, as well as pairs with fun details such as animal and sport decals and light up shoes, too.

The Cupcake Couture range includes cute pairs designed for younger girls with glossy leather finishes and cute animal prints whereas the Graceland shoes are made for slightly older girls and include more classic styles such as loafers, T-bars and brogues. For boys, Deichmann offers Memphis One shoes which feature cool decals and easy fastening options as well as more classic, formal styles. The Memphis One Twin Strap shoes (pictured) are a great option — they're easy to fasten, sturdy and smart.

Many of their school shoes have Microfresh technology which provides an anti-bacterial treatment and some have comfortable memory foam inners and scuff-resistant treatment, too. Unfortunately, there are no half sizes or wide fit options available in any of their exclusive brands. There is a printable fitting guide available that you can download.

Buy now: Deichmann

9. Next, from £18

— Best school shoe retailer for variety

Sizes: Infant 3 to Adult 12, half sizes available | Widths available: Narrow, standard, wide and extra wide | Fitting service available: At home only | Range: 1063 styles available including 257 from Next brand  | Price range: £18-£45 for Next brand | Buy: In store or online

Pros: 

• Impressive selection of different brands and styles
• Durable and robust
• Multiple widths
• Half sizes available

Cons: 

• Can be expensive

With a truly impressive range of over 1,000 school shoes available online, Next is a great retailer to shop for school shoes at if you're looking for a specific design or style. They stock some of the most popular school shoe brands such as Clarks, Kickers, Start Rite, Hush Puppies and Geox but also have over 250 styles of their own brand shoes too.

The Next brand offers loafers, lace-ups, Mary Janes, brogues, T-Bars, trainers and more and there are plenty of features to choose from too, including chunky soles, butterfly and flower detailing, light up soles and even superhero-themed shoes. Next also stocks black plimsolls, starting at £6.

The most popular girls shoes are the trusted Mary Jane style (pictured) with a patent finish, chunky sole and a decorative bow on the strap. They start at £26 so are definitely not the cheapest on our list, but you can expect the quality to be high. The soles are hard-wearing, they're scuff resistant and are cushioned for extra comfort. They're also designed to be easy to take on and off with a touch and close fastening. For boys, the popular Black Leather Single Strap Shoes have an adjustable strap that makes getting them on and off easy for your child, plus, there's a padded inner to provide extra support and comfort.

Some school shoes are available in half sizes, a decent amount of shoes from Next are available in wide fit and there are extra options such as narrow and extra wide available, too. There is a detailed online guide explaining how to measure and fit your child's feet at home and you can choose between a free printable tool or you can buy a Measuring Tool. The guide also explains how to check that the shoes are the correct fit once they have arrived.

Buy now: Next —Boys and Girls

10. Shoe Zone, from £7.99

— Best budget school shoe retailer

Sizes: Infant 4 to Adult 13, half sizes available | Widths available: Standard fit only | Fitting service available: No | Range: 200 styles to choose from | Price range: £7.99-£75 | Buy: Instore or online

Pros: 

• Great value
• Good range of different brands and styles

Cons: 

• May not be as durable and long-lasting as more expensive brands
• Only standard width available

If you're looking for a pair of affordable school shoes to see your child through the rest of the term, then Shoe Zone is a really good option. It was one of the most popular retailers out of the parents that we surveyed and it offers reasonably good quality shoes at a bargain price.

There are plenty of budget styles to choose from, as well as more expensive brands such as Kickers and Hush Puppies. The more affordable styles do have some great features, such as breathable mesh linings and padded ankle collars. One of the most popular styles, the XL Kids Black Easy Fasten Heart Trainer has easy hook and loop straps, plus a chunky sole that provides great grip, as well as a padded ankle collar.

For boys, the Trux Finn (pictured) style is a great option too. They also have easy fastening straps plus a padded insole and a gripped outsole which means they're ready to tackle the playground. Shoe Zone also stocks black plimsolls that start at just £2.99.

There isn't any in-store fitting service available and there's no online guide either so you definitely need to ensure your child's feet have been measured beforehand. There are half sizes available but there are no wide or narrow fit options.

Buy from: Shoe Zone

Where can I buy school shoes?

School shoes are available from a variety of different retailers including supermarkets, high street chains, independent stores, online retailers and specialist school uniform stores. Some have larger ranges available than others and some retailers will sell their own branded school shoes plus a range of other brands too.

What to consider when buying new school shoes

Fit – Obviously the most important factor is how well the shoes fit your child. It's recommended that you get your child's feet measured every time you buy shoes — especially school shoes – and doing this in store is the best option. However, most retailers now also offer online guides that explain how to measure your child's feet and you can even buy foot gauges that you can use to measure your child's feet at home if you're struggling to make an appointment.

Comfort – Shoes should be well-fitting but comfortable with some room to grow, which is why in-store fitting appointments can be really useful. Different shoe styles will suit different children, particularly if they have narrow or wide feet, high arches, or other specific requirements. Look for quality materials that soften with wear, and avoid too many details or straps that could rub or itch.

Durability – The dream is a pair of shoes that fit your budget but will also last more than a few weeks before getting damaged. More expensive shoes often are more durable and long-lasting so it may be worth investing in a brand that is known to be robust, but there are also budget options with good features, such as rubber toe protection and scuff-resistant finishes that  can prolong life.

Fastening – hook and loop riptape, lace ups, buckles, laces with zips: shoes come with all kinds of fastenings. You should consider how easy the shoe will be for your child to take on and off themselves, especially if they're younger or have issues fastening laces or doing complicated fastenings.

Style – It's easier than ever to find a pair of shoes that shows off your child's personality, and a pair of shoes they love is a pair of shoes they'll look after! From butterfly and football embellishments to light-up soles and even licensed, character themed school shoes such as Disney or Marvel, there's a lot on offer, but do check your school's uniform policy before buying.

Price – Unsurprisingly, the price of school shoes varies greatly. Out of the 302 parents we surveyed, 26% told us that they spend between £20-£29 on one pair, while 25% that told us they spend between £30-£39. Prices at supermarkets and some high street chains can start at less than £10, whereas more specialist shoe retailers have prices starting at around £40-£60. We've aimed to include a wide variety of prices in our list to reflect different budgets, but as noted above, cheaper school shoes can fall apart more quickly and you may find yourself having to replace them more often.

For more information, check out our article on 'Is your child wearing the 'wrong' school shoes?'

How many pairs of shoes will my child need each year?

Most parents will buy a new pair of school shoes for the start of the new school year, but these are not necessarily guaranteed to last until the following summer.

48% of parents told us that they buy 2 pairs of school shoes for each child per year, with the main reasons for needing to replace them being that they've grown out of them or the shoes have become damaged. As children's feet grow so quickly — especially when they're younger — you should be prepared to replace their shoes quite regularly. If your child is quite active and is running around a lot in them, then understandably their shoes may fall apart or start to look worn more quickly.

When should I replace my child's school shoes?

We spoke to Clarks' foot fitting manager Bob Hardy, who has helped to design Clarks shoes for over 40 years, and asked him when parents should replace their children's school shoes. He told us, "it varies depending on how old your child is and how active. If the shoes are not worn out you can always take your child back to the store to check if the shoes are still the right size. If they are, you won't need to buy a new pair until the ones you have are too small."

So, how fast will your child outgrow their shoes? Bob told us that "there's a big variation for different children. On average, they may grow two full sizes a year until they're four or five, and then around a shoe size each year until their mid-teens. The most important thing about shoes is that they need to be proportioned properly. Don't buy a size up because the shoes will be disproportionate to the foot shape."

Due to a variety of reasons, there's no getting away from the fact that you will be buying school shoes quite regularly for your child so getting the right pair is really important so you don't have to replace them more than is necessary.

Do I need to get my child's feet measured in store?

As children's feet grow so fast, it's really important to get their feet measured every time you buy new shoes to ensure that the new pair are comfortable and fit correctly. As Bob Hardy told us, the number one tip for selecting the right shoes is to "get your child's feet professionally measured. The first thing to remember is how much wear your children will get out of their shoes. An average child will wear their school shoes for 1,000 hours and take one million steps before they wear out. So the shoes need to be comfortable and durable. Less than a third of children are a standard fitting, so you should look for ranges of shoes that accommodate half sizes and different widths."

At MadeForMums, we have always supported the advice from The Royal College of Podiatry that children should have their feet measured professionally for the most long-lasting supportive fit. Out of the 302 parents we surveyed, 41% told us that they opt for a shoe shop with a shoe fitting service.

Stores like Clarks and M&S offer in-store fitting services, but if you aren't able to make it into a store there are multiple ways that you can measure your child's feet accurately at home — from free printable measuring guides, technology that can provide the correct fit from a photograph, to foot gauges that you can buy and use at home.

Photo credits: Site websites

For more like this, take a look at the best kids backpacks.

We asked parents which backpacks their kids love, why they were so popular and how well they lasted, and compiled a list of best backpacks and school bags for girls and boys, taking into consideration fit, internal space, comfort, added extras and good ol' fashioned fun! We've got a great selection of the best school bags for secondary school and primary school, as well as backpacks that can be used at weekends as during school holidays, or on family holidays.

To prevent your child losing their beloved backpack, take a look at our top pick of the best name labels.

Best kids backpacks at a glance

• Best backpack for fun patterns: Smiggle Classic Backpack, from £38 at Smiggle
• Best personalised backpack: My 1st Years Personalised Ditsy Print Mini Backpack, £28 at My 1st Years
• Best sustainable backpack: LittleLife Stingray Toddler Backpack with Rein, £19.99 at Boots
• Best backpack with attached pencil case: Nike Elemental Backpack with Pencil Case, £28
• Best backpack for storing snacks: Skip Hop Unicorn Backpack, £20 at Kiddies Kingdom
• Best budget backpack: Quechua Kids' Hiking Small Backpack, £6.99 at Decathlon
• Best backpack for older kids: Hype Clouds Backpack, £32.99 at Amazon
• Best backpack for younger kids: Blade & Rose Rucksacks, £22 at Blade & Rose
• Best water repellent backpack: M&S Collection Backpack, £16-£20 st Marks & Spencer
• Best backpack for Disney lovers: Disney Minnie Mouse Backpack, £16 at Argos

Jump to what to consider when buying a new school bag

Best school bags and kids backpacks to buy in 2025, as recommended by parents:

1. Smiggle Classic Backpack, from £38

– Best school bag for colourful patterns

Size: 42cm x 30cm x 13cm (some styles may vary) | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Fun designs
• Adjustable padded straps
• Robust and durable

Cons: 

• No chest strap
• Pricey

These Smiggle backpacks have adjustable padded straps, dual drink bottle sleeves and the main section of the bag also has a padded computer pocket. At the front there are 2 zip compartments, including a fun zipper pull that matches the chosen style. There are so many designs to choose from too, from Disney and Marvel options, to dinosaur and unicorn-themed styles.

Much like the Hype backpack also on this list, this bag is the perfect size for school kids.

You can get smaller, junior sizes for younger kids too.

Available from: Smiggle and Next

2. My 1st Years Personalised Ditsy Print Mini Backpack, from £23

– Best school bag for personalisation

Size: 28cm x 22cm x 8cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Personalised and easy to identify
• Great size for nursery
• Easy to wash
• Adjustable padded shoulder straps with reflective stripes

Cons: 

• No chest strap
• May be more suited to nursery rather than school due to size

There is a chance that your child is going to have the same bag to someone in their class, so a personalised bag can make spotting your child's bag that bit easier when they are all hung up at nursery or school. Unless, of course, you're unlucky enough that they have the same bag and name...

My 1st Years allows you to personalise this bag with up to 12 characters (for an extra £5). Your child's name is embroidered on top of the cream ditsy print. This bag is on the smaller side, so it's important to consider whether the backpack is large enough for school where children may have to carry more – My 1st Years has a range of kids backpacks in larger sizes if you need more space.

The backpack has a front pocket and adjustable padded shoulder straps with 2 reflective stripes.

Available from: My 1st Years and Not On The High Street

3. LittleLife Stingray Toddler Backpack with Rein, £19.99

– Best sustainable school bag

Size: 14cm x 18cm x 23cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: Yes

Pros: 

• Sustainably made
• Adjustable padded shoulder pads
• Chest strap
• Name label and toddler reins included

Cons: 

• May not be able to carry enough for older kids
• Cannot be machine washed

If you're looking for a sustainably-made and undeniably adorable backpack for toddlers, this LittleLife Stingray bag is ideal. It has a gorgeous stingray print all over the front, complete with eyes, mouth and fins at the top, back and side of the backpack.

The backpack has a top grab handle to carry the bag around when not on your child's back, adjustable padded shoulder straps and a chest strap to help distribute the weight. Inside the bag there's an internal name and address label.

With a 2 litre capacity, it's just right for younger children who don't need to carry as much stuff around with them and means it cannot be overloaded and made too heavy. The inside of the backpack has an easy zipped top entry so your toddler can get things in and out their backpack all by themselves.

An added benefit of this backpack – specifically for toddlers – is that it comes with safety reins too so you can keep your child close if walking around a crowded area. As for cleaning, it can just be wiped clean.

It's made from recycled bottles (approx. 7.9 bottles per backpack) and the brand donates 1% of the profits from this line to sea life conservation charities to help protect the oceans.

Available from: Amazon, Boots and LittleLife

 4. Nike Elemental Backpack with Pencil Case, £35

– Best school bag for secondary school

Size: 46cm x 30cm x 15cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Pencil case attached
• Generous size
• Padded adjustable shoulder straps and padded back

Cons: 

• No chest strap to distribute weight
• Cannot be machine washed

This Nike backpack has a pencil case attached, which parent tester Danielle, mum of Jay, 14, finds really useful. It clips onto the inside of the bag for quick and easy access. The bag also has 2 zip compartments and a mesh side pocket for your child to easily store their water bottle. There's no hiding this bag is Nike with the big Nike Swoosh logo on the front.

It's quite a large bag so there should be space to fit in all the school essentials. Our tester found that it is more than big enough to hold everything their child needs and likes the zip on the front for extra storage.

To ensure the backpack doesn't cause discomfort to your child's back, it has adjustable padded shoulder straps to help get the bag to sit in the right position and cushion your child's shoulders. As well as this, the back of the bag is padded.

To keep the bag clean, it's recommended to spot wash rather than put it in the washing machine.

Available from: Amazon, Schuh and Next

5. Skip Hop Unicorn Backpack, £20

– Best school bag for primary school

Size: 27.94cm x 12.7cm x 30.48cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Insulated compartment
• Adjustable padded straps
• Internal name tag
• Easy-to-clean lining
• Great size for school and nursery

Cons:

• No chest strap

This adorable unicorn backpack has a front insulated compartment to keep any snacks cool throughout the day. It also has a mesh side pocket to hold your child's drinks bottle and extra pockets to store little things such as pens or pencils.

The bag is big enough for both school and nursery and should fit in everything your child needs. It has padded adjustable straps and an easy-to-clean lining with an internal name tag to stop your child's bag getting lost.

The bag's fun unicorn design is complete with a stick out horn and ears. It even has little eyes, nostrils and a rainbow zipper charm. It also comes in different designs, such as a Monkey, Narwhal and Fox.

Available from: Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom

6. Quechua Kids' Hiking Small Backpack, £6.99

– Best budget kids school bag

Size: 27cm x 19cm x 15cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: Yes

Pros: 

• Excellent value
• Foam back
• Adjustable padded shoulder straps and chest strap

Cons: 

• Have to wash by hand
• Due to shape, you may struggle to fit A4 books

This backpack is just under £7, making it an excellent budget option. The 5 litre backpack is especially designed for walking and hiking but is still a great backpack for school or nursery too, especially if you have to walk a little way to get there.

As it's created for hiking, this means it's lightweight, weighing just 150g. It has a foam back and adjustable padded S-shaped shoulder strap as well as a chest strap.

It has 1 zipped pocket, 1 mesh pocket and 1 bottle pocket to fit everything your child needs. There are a few different colour and design options to choose from, including 2 bright and adorable character designs (pictured above).

It is recommended to hand wash this bag.

Available from: Decathlon

7. Hype Clouds Large Backpack, £30

– Best backpack for older kids

Size: 42cm x 30cm x 12cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Great size for school
• Wide padded adjustable straps
• Lots of designs to choose from

Cons: 

• No chest strap
• Pricey

If your child cares about the current trends and wants a Hype backpack, we think this one is great.

There are lots of Hype bags available, all with different patterns. The backpack has a 28 litre capacity, the ideal size for older kids to take to school and fit workbooks and textbooks in. It also comes with a fluffy pom-pom keyring on the zip.

The bag does not need to go in the washing machine, it can just be wiped clean.

Available from: Amazon, Next and Marks & Spencer

8. Blade & Rose Rucksack, £22

– Best backpack for younger kids

Size: 35cm x 27cm x 16cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Great quality, very durable
• Adorable designs
• Adjustable strap lengths
• Good storage size

Cons: 

• No zip compartments inside

Blade & Rose are a British brand known for making adorable yet durable children's clothing and their backpacks are no different. You can choose from either a super cute Highland Cow, or the beloved Gruffalo. Both feature 3D padded horns and intricate embroidery that represent both characters.

Not only will the charming designs appeal to young kids, but the backpacks are also incredibly robust, durable and comfortable. They have padded shoulder straps, a cushioned back panel, breathable mesh fabric and adjustable straps so it will grow with your child. We also love the inclusion of a name label inside the bag.

There's a front zip pocket to store small items and parent tester Rebecca was surprised by how much the backpack could hold: "we had a day out and I was able to fit nappies, wipes, several changes of clothes, spare shoes, 2 bottles of suncream, spare dummies, drinks and snacks and still had room for a few more things!"

Available from: Blade & Rose, Mountain Warehouse and Debenhams

9. M&S Collection Backpack, £16-£20

– Best water repellent school bag

Size: Small: 30cm x 10cm x 24cm / Large: 40cm x 13cm x 28cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Water repellent
• Machine washable
• Adjustable padded straps
• Lots of fun designs to choose from

Cons: 

• No chest strap

These backpacks from M&S have wide, adjustable padded straps and a back panel that will keep it comfortable for your child. They come in 2 sizes, the small is £16 and the large is £20.

There are plenty of pockets including a zipped front compartment, two pockets on the side and extra slip pockets in the large, main compartment.

One of the best things about these bags that really set them apart is that they feature a water-repellent Stormwear™ finish so there's no need to worry about books getting soaked in the rain.

If it does get dirty, it's super easy to clean, you can just pop it in the washing machine.

There are plenty of fun designs to choose from too, including Paddington (pictured above), Frozen, Stitch, Hot Wheels, Spider-Man, Minnie Mouse, Squishmallows and more. You can buy a matching lunchbox too.

Available from: Marks & Spencer

10. Disney Minnie Mouse Backpack, £16

– Best school bag for Disney lovers

Size: 39cm x 28cm x 12cm | Padded straps: Yes | Chest strap: No

Pros: 

• Adjustable padded straps
• Great size for smaller kids
• Water repellent material

Cons: 

• No chest strap
• Not machine washable

This Disney themed backpack features Minnie Mouse artwork with a 3D glitter bow at the top. It has a smaller front pocket with a zip fastening and feature materials for smaller items too. The backpack also has one large main pocket that fits A4 documents.

To carry, it has a top carry handle and adjustable padded straps, plus the straps are fitted with safety release straps and strengthened seams. It is the perfect size for just starting school as it's not too big and not too small.

Available from: Argos

What to consider when buying a new school bag

Size – Family Chiropractic practice N8 Health explained to us how important it is to have the right size backpack. If you backpack is too big, it's going to damage your child's posture and they're going to end up filling it with more stuff than necessary making it unnecessarily heavy and uncomfortable. It's also vital that the backpack is not too wide or low on their back as this too could cause discomfort and back pain. However, there's also practicality to consider, the bag does need to fit all their everyday school essentials in.

Comfort – N8 Health also touched on how the shoulder straps of the bag should be padded and wide to distribute the weight. A waist strap can also come in handy to help disperse the weight of the backpack to other areas of the child's body, away from their shoulders.

Style – As well as comfort, you want to get a bag that your child loves and feels confident wearing. There are so many backpacks to choose from that there is sure to be one for your child, but do include them in the choice.

Ease of use – If your child is going to be using this backpack everyday, it's important that it's easy for them to find things at school. Compartments and pockets are particularly useful for storing valuables such as lunch money or phones for older kids. Compartments can also help separate and stabilise the load, making it more bearable

Washing – Considering the backpack is going to be used a lot, it's likely it will get dirty. Therefore, having a backpack that is easy to clean would be very useful.

School rules – It's important to find out which backpacks your child is allowed at school, especially if they're starting a new one. Our parent testers explained some of the different rules their schools have: some schools require black bags to match the school uniform, others specific a certain size so it doesn't take up too much space in the cloakroom. Make sure that you know any rules before purchasing.

Picture credits: Site website/MFM tester pics

Read More:

• Best school uniform tested by families
• Best kids' pencil cases
• Best school lunch boxes
• 10 brilliant books for starting school or nursery

Perhaps you were helping your teenager overcome exam nerves, constantly reminding them of the need to revise or supporting them when they thought they'd messed up an exam. Whichever camp you found yourself in, we know it can be an exhausting and mentally draining parenting challenge.

Just when you thought you and your child could breathe a sigh of relief and put all those sleepless nights behind you though, now you have to deal with results day and what this means for your child, both mentally and practically.

In 2025 in the UK, A Level results were released on Thursday 14 August, GCSE results on Thursday 21 August, and International Baccalaureate results and Scottish SQA results were announced on 6 July and 5 August respectively.

Many children put a huge amount of pressure on themselves to do well and will be extremely anxious about not achieving the grades or university place they desire, so you'll want to keep an eye on them on results day. To help you have a happy and celebratory results day here are five top parenting tips from Danielle D'Onofrio, University Counsellor at ACS International Schools Egham.

Encourage early and open communication

"Start conversations about results day early," says Danielle. "Open communication will ensure your child is comfortable discussing their hopes and fears, and dreams and aspirations. If your child is particularly concerned, leverage the support of university or careers counsellors and academic staff. They have experience in handling such situations and can provide valuable advice and reassurance.

"This can help set realistic expectations and provide clarity on firm and insurance offers; knowing what to expect and having a clear understanding of all potential outcomes can alleviate some of the pre-results day anxiety."

Understand clearing and other options

"Inform your child about the clearing process and other alternatives such as gap years, retaking exams, or applying to universities abroad. Knowing that there are multiple pathways to their goals can reduce the fear of failure.

"For IB students, understanding the timeline differences with A Level results and the availability of university places through clearing can also be beneficial. Clearing opens on IB results day, which means that IB students get earlier access to clearing compared to their peers."

Focus on what can be controlled

"Remind your child that they cannot change their results once the exams are over," says Danielle. "What they can control is the steps they take next. Have all necessary information about alternative options to hand, and this way, they will feel more prepared to handle any outcome.

"Prepare for both best and worst-case scenarios. This means having a plan if things go as hoped, but also knowing the steps to take if the results are not as expected. Discussing and having a backup plan can significantly reduce panic on the actual day."

Maintain a healthy routine

"It sounds simple, but ensure your child gets enough sleep the night before results day," says Danielle. "Adequate rest will help them think clearly and manage stress better. Encourage them to eat healthy meals to avoid any added anxiety from physical discomfort. Also, suggest they avoid social media on results day to prevent additional stress from peers’ results."

Have support ready

"Your attitude towards the situation will significantly influence your child’s reaction," says Danielle. "Stay positive and supportive, reinforcing the idea that results day, while important, is not the end-all of their academic journey.

"Encourage resilience and adaptability. Being surrounded by supportive family members or friends on results day can provide much-needed comfort. If the results aren’t as expected or hoped for, having someone with a clear head can help your child stay calm and focused, especially when discussing options with counsellors or universities.

"Your support and encouragement in the lead up to results day is so important. It’s a time that should be seen as a celebration of your child’s hard work and dedication, and regardless of the outcomes, what matters most is helping your child navigate their path forward with confidence and optimism."

Pics: Getty Images