This post contains gifted products from Pen Heaven. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is something about new stationery that makes the start of a new academic year feel that little bit more exciting.

As a secondary school teacher, I’ve had quite a few “back to school” seasons over the years, and I still love that feeling of getting organised before September. A fresh notebook, a decent pen and a plan for the term ahead can genuinely make me feel more prepared for those first few hectic weeks.

And it’s not just teachers who appreciate it. For secondary school students – particularly those moving into GCSE years – having stationery they actually like using can make going back to school feel a little more special too.

So, alongside sorting uniform, bags and all the other back-to-school essentials, I thought I’d put together a few stationery ideas for teachers and students heading into the new academic year.

Back to School Stationery for Teachers

Teachers accumulate a lot of stationery.

There are the practical everyday essentials, of course, but I think there is also something rather lovely about having one or two things that are specifically yours rather than something you’ve grabbed from the stationery cupboard.

A Notebook You’ll Actually Want to Use

For me, a good notebook is always a back-to-school essential.

Whether it’s being used for meeting notes, planning, CPD, ideas or the seemingly endless lists that come with teaching, I like having one notebook where I can keep everything together.

The Moleskine Soft Cover Large Lined Notebook from Pen Heaven is exactly the sort of notebook I would choose for the new academic year. It’s simple, smart and practical enough to carry around school every day.

I also think something like this would make a lovely gift for a teacher starting a new role, completing their teacher training or beginning their ECT years. It’s useful, but still feels like a little treat.

Pens That Don’t Mysteriously Disappear!

If you’re a teacher, you’ll know.

You start the year with an impressive collection of pens and somehow, by half term, you’re wondering where they’ve all gone.

Having a few pens that are very obviously teacher pens is therefore essential!

The Pilot V7 Grip Hi-Tecpoint Rollerball Pens in green are particularly handy for marking, feedback and making notes in students’ books without relying on the traditional red pen.

They’re also the kind of everyday stationery item that I know will actually get used – which is always something I look for when choosing teacher gifts.

Back to School Stationery for Secondary School Students

As children move through secondary school, their stationery needs change too.

By the time students reach GCSE level, they’re juggling more subjects, revision, homework, coursework and assessments. Having their own stationery kit that they can keep organised becomes increasingly useful.

It’s also an age where they often start to have very definite opinions about what they do – and don’t – want in their school bag!

A Ready-Made Student Stationery Hamper

If you’re buying for a teenager heading back to school, Pen Heaven’s Student Hamper is a lovely idea.

Rather than buying everything individually, the hamper brings together a selection of useful stationery for studying and schoolwork. I particularly like this as a gift idea for students reaching one of those bigger school milestones – starting secondary school, beginning GCSEs, moving into sixth form or even heading off to university.

It’s practical, but opening a hamper of brand-new stationery still gives you that lovely “fresh start” feeling. And sometimes a little motivation boost before September is exactly what is needed!

Back to School Gifts Don’t Have to Be Huge

The cost of going back to school can quickly add up, particularly once you’ve factored in uniform, shoes, bags, PE kits and everything else children seem to need in September. So I certainly don’t think we need to turn back-to-school stationery into another huge expense.

Reuse anything that’s still perfectly good from last year and replace the things that genuinely need replacing. But I do like the idea of choosing one little back-to-school treat. For a student, that might be a new notebook, pencil case or stationery set. For a teacher, perhaps it’s a lovely notebook or some pens that they’ll enjoy using throughout the year.

Sometimes it’s those small things that help mark the transition from the slower pace of summer back into school routines.

Starting the New Academic Year Feeling Organised

I don’t think I’ll ever reach September feeling completely organised – I’m not convinced that’s actually possible when you’re a teacher!

But there is definitely something reassuring about sitting down before the start of term with a fresh notebook, writing out those first few lists and getting everything ready for the weeks ahead.

The same can be true for students.

New stationery won’t magically make homework exciting or remove the nerves that sometimes come with returning to school, but it can help create that sense of a new beginning. And whether you’re heading back into the classroom as a teacher or walking through the school gates as a student, a fresh start can feel pretty good.

If you’re looking for a little stationery treat before September, you can browse the full Pen Heaven range here.

K Elizabeth xoxox