Back to School Countdown

Starting to get ready for the new school year? You can be confident you’re getting the best quality uniform at M&S – we’ve won gold in the best high-street school uniform category of the Made For Mums Awards for three years in a row. Each school has a slightly different school uniform policy, so read the rules thoroughly before you start shopping. Also, remember that September can often be quite warm and many schools still wear summer uniform (often gingham dresses and shorts), so ask other parents – or the school’s Facebook group – if you’re unsure.

Whether it’s packing a spare uniform for little accidents or making sure they have a coat in case of sudden downpours, keeping kids comfortable, dry and warm goes a long way to keeping them happy at school. When it’s hot, don’t forget sun hats and sun cream. “For new starters, I’d suggest short-sleeved shirts and blouses all year round, especially if their school’s uniform requires white ones,” says Louis, dad to Lola, 8, and Bruno, 7. “Play-based learning coupled with kids’ still-developing motor skills means their sleeves are a magnet for everything from paint to pudding.”