Top Back-to-School Stationery Trends for the 2024/25 School Year
With the new school year now in full swing, it’s clear educational stationery trends have continued to follow several key tracks laid down in the past few years. Sustainability, along with a focus on quality, design and inclusivity feature heavily on the agenda for schools across the UK and Europe, and that doesn’t look set to change soon.
There’s increasing demand for environmentally-friendly and sustainable paper stationery
Driven by both UK and EU sustainability targets set for schools and ever-increasing awareness of environmental issues amongst students and institutions themselves, the demand for sustainable paper stationery products has never been higher. Both students and schools are looking for stationery that has a minimal impact on the environment, from sourcing of materials and packaging right through to delivery itself.
Our RHINO Stationery range offers high-quality, sustainably-made exercise books and paper stationery catering to both UK and EU markets and all school years and subjects. Crafted with 100% recycled covers, PEFC paper and printed with solvent-free ink at our purpose-built, environmentally-friendly factory in Tallin, sustainability is built in as standard. Packaged using biodegradable paper banding, RHINO exercise books remain sustainable throughout their life cycle. Our high environmental standards and commitment to a circular economy mean that we can help UK schools meet targets set out around their operations and supply chain in the recent UK government policy paper – Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for education and children’s services systems.
Embracing inclusivity through the right learning tools is crucial for schools
Special Educational Needs (SEN) and making sure all students are acknowledged and included within school settings remains a major focal point for the 2024/25 academic year. Driving this trend is an increased awareness and diagnosis of neurodivergent conditions like dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Schools are actively working to provide more help to neurodivergent students much earlier in their school careers, helping them to build confidence and enjoy learning.
A key part of making schools more inclusive is ensuring that neurodivergent pupils are supported with the right tools to learn – and that includes stationery. Our RHINO SEN range of tinted exercise books and refill pads is specially designed to reduce and relieve visual disturbances. In various pastel shades, these tinted exercise books and pads support neurodivergent pupils – including those with dyslexia and Mears-Irlen Syndrome – to read and write comfortably. The SEN range has received so much positive feedback from schools and students alike, and in early 2024 was awarded a prestigious Stationer’s Warrant as formal recognition of its exceptional craftsmanship and quality.
Well-made school stationery never goes out of fashion
Stationery trends come and go but schools always need robust, well-made exercise books and pads, and this shows in the current stationery market across both the UK and Europe. Despite price sensitivity driven by tight school budgets, schools are still valuing fit-for-purpose, well-made paper stationery over and above cheaper alternatives. The price of choosing cheaper is too high – pages coming out, covers coming off and ink leaking through to the next page. All of which negates the original cost saving because cheap school exercise books will be replaced more, and sooner, than well-made versions.
The RHINO brand is synonymous with good quality products – particularly for exercise books in schools. All our RHINO and RHINO EU paper stationery products come with a Lifetime Warranty from us. Made with quality materials and designed fit-for-purpose, RHINO products stand the test of time. We’re so confident that our products will stand up to school use that we’ll replace any product that doesn’t last under normal circumstances completely free of charge.
"Exercise books tend to come in two guises. Cheap or good quality. I am pleased to say these books bridged the gap by being both. Nice thick cover and good quality paper makes sure that my notes will stay with me for years to come." - Paul Woodhouse
Customised school stationery is on-trend for 2024/25
With the retail stationery market heavily leaning into personalisation following a demand for stationery that reflects individuality, schools themselves are not far behind. Exercise books customised with the school logo, crest and name are becoming more and more popular as a way to create a unified look, foster school spirit and promote a sense of belonging among students. And it’s not just the preserve of well-funded independent schools – customisation can be both simple and affordable for all schools.
Our bespoke overprinting service for school exercise books allows you to easily customise your usual RHINO order with your choice of school crest or logo, branding, messaging and naming for an affordable price. Simply ‘Add Overprinting’ for your chosen books, upload your artwork and we’ll do the rest.
Value is more important than ever for schools choosing stationery
As well as looking for paper stationery that meets their price and quality requirements, schools across the UK and Europe are increasingly looking for additional benefits that support their needs throughout the year, whether that’s a range of fast delivery options, credit accounts and flexible payments, or simply ease of ordering. RHINO Stationery offers all this and more with flexible ways to manage procurement whether you order as a one-off or open a credit account with us.
We offer:
- Over 450 RHINO-branded, high-quality paper stationery products for UK schools
- Specialist paper stationery for SEN and neurodivergent pupils
- Exercise books, notebooks and pads made specifically for the EU market through our RHINO EU range
- An exclusive RHINO schools’ pricing membership open to all UK and International schools, trusts and education facilities
- Quick, reliable deliveries from our fully-stocked UK warehouse
- An efficient and sustainable supply chain from sourcing through to delivery
- Flexible payment and procurement options through our RHINO Credit Account Program
- Excellent customer service from our dedicated team
As back-to-school trends continue to evolve, we’ll always be on hand with high-quality, sustainable school exercise books and paper stationery you can trust.
Still need to top up on exercise books or paper for the new school year? We’re fully stocked and ready to deliver your order within 48 hours*.
Order your school essentials now
*T&Cs apply, see here for details
Other News
