Back to School: Tech Expert Shares What Secondary Kids Really Need and How to Save Money On It

As families brace for the annual back-to-school spending surge, MyVoucherCodes tech expert, Nathan Walters, is cutting through the marketing noise to reveal exactly what secondary school students need. From budget-friendly Chromebooks to money-saving hacks like TOTUM student cards, cashback sites, and refurbished devices. Nathan explains how your child can start the year with everything they need for a few hundred pounds.

How much should you spend on secondary school text?

How much you spend must be based on what you can realistically afford. Avoid Payday loans or financing gadgets with high-interest rates, as these can quickly spiral out of control, and you end up paying far more. First, consider any government scheme and refurbished tech to save money.

How can I get cheap laptops or tablets for school?

• Consider buying refurbished technology. It’s often just as good as new for significant savings. Online stores such as MusicMagpie and eBay offer warranties and very competitive prices. I buy refurbished tech all the time.
• Use cashback and voucher sites. Quidco or a voucher site such as MyVoucherCodes, they're free and easy to use, and it's worth having a browse to save some money.
• Look for sales. Sales on laptops and tablets run throughout the year. Black Friday is a good option, but don't assume that's when tech will be at its cheapest.
• Consider a TOTUM Card. High school students over 16 can get a TOTUM card, enabling them to save on numerous tech and stationery brands needed for school

What tech do my kids need for secondary school?

• A reliable laptop for writing essays, doing homework and online research for subjects is a necessity in the modern world. It doesn't need to be a powerhouse for use with video games. You can pick up Chromebooks such as the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 14" for between £130 and £250
• Basic accessories, such as a mouse, keyboard, and headphones, enhance usability for your child and also aid in maintaining focus. I'm a fan of an Amazon Basics keyboard and mouse combo, which you can pick up for around £15.
• Amazon Fire Tablets are inexpensive (often under £100), but note that the cheaper models include "special offers," which are ads on the lock screen and sometimes the home screen. You need to pay a fee when ordering to remove these.

What school grants and support is available?

There are numerous grants and funds available for families who may need assistance in buying school tech and supplies. Here are a few of Nathan’s suggestions.

• Computers4Charity is a fantastic company that takes donated computers and refurbishes them, and either donates them to schools or sells them at a discounted price.
• The Good Things Foundation is a digital inclusion charity that has helped over 1 million people across the UK through its services and the national device bank.
• The Family Fund helps children with disabilities or illnesses by providing grants to cover tech such as computers.
• ILF Scotland's Technology Grant offers a free iPad or Surface Go 3 (with accessories) to disabled children aged 16-25 in Scotland
• Gardner's Trust for the Blind grants up to £600 toward adapted computers and software for blind children.
• Bursaries - students aged 16-19 in England can get bursaries to help pay for school-related tech and equipment, while school children in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland can get EMA to help with costs

Pitfalls and what not to do

Ditch the big brands. Apple and Samsung are very well-known and offer student deals, but for what is needed in high school, you don't need flashy, expensive tech. A £150 Chromebook will cover your child just as fine.

Do not buy Microsoft Office. Students from high school to university can get Microsoft Office for free, saving you up to £70 depending on where you would have bought it from.