To help make your child's first day at the Britannica International School, Shanghai as exciting as possible, we've collated this checklist.

Click on the appropriate school age below, and you get a list of everything you need to bring. We've also included some general recommendations to make your child's first day run as smoothly as possible. This means you can focus on getting that 'first-day photograph', rather than worrying about whether or not you've packed the right footwear.

EYFS

What to bring on the first day of Early Years

It is important that both you, and your child are excited about starting your journey with our fantastic Early Years team.

You can begin preparations by talking to your little one about the transition and showing them pictures of their new environment. You can also enlist their help in preparations. Perhaps they can help label their personal items, such as lunch boxes and wellington boots.

We provide exercise books and learning resources for all our Early Years cohort and writing equipment is provided for Pre-Nursery up to and including Year 2. But there are a number of items they will need to bring with them on their first day.

Things to bring to school on your child's first day

  • Spare change of uniform - please make sure your child comes in their uniform. You can read about from Uniform page
  • Suitable outdoor clothing - hats, gloves, coat, waterproofs depending on the weather
  • Suitable footwear - be this wellington boots or trainers, depending on the weather
  • Sun hats - summer months compulsory
  • Mosquito repellent and sunscreen - when appropriate parents are recommended to apply on their children before coming to school
  • Indoor shoes - these must be properly fitted, closed-toe and rubber soled (non-marking and not black)
  • One small package of Pull-Up Nappies - if required
  • A toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste in a cup (labelled)
  • A water bottle - containing fresh water, this will be sent home daily for washing
  • Blanket and Pillow - for comfort and nap time, this will sent home with your child every Friday for washing
  • Comforter -if required

Please do NOT send the following:

  • Sweets or chocolate (unless prearranged for a special occasion).
  • Drinks in cans or glass bottles for safety reasons.
  • No NUTS in case of allergies of other children. - We are a NUT free school.
  • Jewellery or small objects for safety reasons.

Please do NOT bring NUTS because of allergies of other students. We are a NUT free school.

If you decided to order school lunch for your child through our lunch provider, please make sure you have pre-ordered the meals. Visit Lunch & Snacks for more information.

Primary

What to bring on the first day of Primary School

We hope you and your child are excited about joining our wonderful Primary school community. A world of learning and laughter awaits. We would be very grateful if your child could bring the following items with them on their first day, and beyond.

Your child will need a number of items at school each day as follows - please have these ready for the first day:

  • Uniform - please make sure your child comes in their uniform. You can read about and purchase uniforms from school uniform shop
  • A water bottle - containing fresh water (no sweet juices)
  • School bag - for taking home any books, home-school communication, booklets, or weekly journals. School bags can be purchased from our school uniform shop
  • Pencil case for Students from Y3-Y6, that should include:
    • Black or blue ink writing pens (Base Ball pens are recommended).
    • Pencils
    • Eraser
    • Pencil sharpener
    • Small ruler

Students from Y4-Y6 should also bring a laptop computer to school with them each day.

Students can bring their own lunch to the school.

Please do NOT send the following:

  • No sweets (candy) or chocolate.
  • No food that needs to be reheated or refrigerated.
  • No drinks in cans or glass bottles for safety reasons.
  • No sugary or energy drinks, e.g. Red Bull, Coke.

Please do NOT bring NUTS because of allergies of other students. We are a NUT free school.

Secondary

What to bring on the first day of Secondary School

We are delighted that your child will be joining our outstanding Secondary school for this crucial time in their educational journey. Our internationally acclaimed education will set them on the best possible path, enabling them to explore their passions and fulfil their potential. We look forward to welcoming them.

We provide exercise books for all students. These will be given to students by their teacher in their first lesson each class. However, there are several items that students will need to bring with them on their first day and beyond.

Students will need a number of items at school each day as follows - please have these ready for the first day:

  • Uniform - please make sure your child comes in their uniform. You can read about from Uniform page.
  • Laptop - we recommend smaller models because they are easier to carry and take up less desk space
  • A water bottle - containing fresh water (no sweet juices)
  • Pencil case - including but not limited to:
    • pencil
    • pen - Black or blue ink writing pens (Base Ball pens are recommended)
    • eraser
    • ruler
  • Subject specific equipment – students will require specific equipment for their lessons for example calculator, protractor and compass for mathematics. However, they will not be expected to have all this on their first day.

Please do NOT send the following:

  • No sweets (candy) or chocolate.
  • No food that needs to be reheated or refrigerated.
  • No drinks in cans or glass bottles for safety reasons.
  • No sugary or energy drinks, e.g. Red Bull, Coke.

Please do NOT bring NUTS because of allergies of other students. We are a NUT free school.

If you decided to order school lunch for your child through our lunch provider, please make sure you have pre-ordered the meals. Visit Lunch & Snacks for more information.