Top Tips to Grab a Black Friday Bargain for Your School

Why should schools prepare for Black Friday?

With school budgets under pressure, finding ways to make funding go further is an important part of managing school resources. Black Friday offers an opportunity to purchase essential supplies at reduced prices, whether you’re stocking up on classroom stationery, preparing Christmas activities or planning ahead for the new term.

However, with so many offers available, it’s easy to get distracted by discounts on products your school doesn’t actually need.

For school business managers (SBMs), office managers and teachers, the key is to approach Black Friday with a clear plan. Knowing what your school needs, how much you can spend and where to find suitable products makes the process much easier.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together five practical Black Friday shopping tips to help your school make informed purchasing decisions and get better value for money.

What are the best Black Friday shopping tips for schools?

If you’re planning to take part in Black Friday this year, these five tips will help you shop efficiently, avoid unnecessary purchases and make your school budget stretch further.

1. Follow your favourite suppliers for early Black Friday deals

One of the easiest ways to stay informed about Black Friday offers is to follow your favourite educational suppliers on social media and sign up for their email newsletters.

Some retailers announce their Black Friday deals in advance or give subscribers early access to selected offers.

This can be particularly helpful if you’re looking for specific classroom resources, stationery or school equipment that may be in high demand.

Consider following suppliers your school already uses and checking whether they’re offering discounts on products you regularly purchase.

Top tip: Create a dedicated email folder for supplier offers so you can quickly compare discounts without losing important information in your inbox.

2. Research products and compare prices before buying

Before Black Friday arrives, spend some time researching the products your school needs and comparing prices across different suppliers.

For example, if you’re planning Christmas crafts for your pupils, think about the materials teachers will need over the coming weeks. This might include coloured paper, glue sticks, paints, card and other craft supplies.

You could also use Black Friday to prepare for the new term by purchasing everyday essentials such as exercise books, pens, pencils and classroom storage.

When comparing products, remember to consider more than the advertised discount.

Check the pack quantities, product quality, delivery charges and suitability for your school.

A lower price doesn’t always represent better value, particularly if the product contains fewer items or doesn’t meet your requirements.

Top tip: Record the usual prices of products before Black Friday so you can judge whether the advertised savings represent a genuine bargain.

3. Set up online shopping accounts in advance

Popular shopping events can lead to increased website traffic, making it frustrating to complete purchases when deals become available.

Setting up your online accounts before Black Friday can help make the ordering process quicker and more straightforward.

Check that your school’s delivery address, account information and approved payment arrangements are correct.

If your school uses purchase orders or requires spending approval, make sure the appropriate procedures are followed before placing an order.

This is particularly important for school business managers who need to maintain accurate financial records and ensure purchases meet their school’s procurement requirements.

Top tip: Check your school’s purchasing and approval procedures before Black Friday to avoid delays when you’re ready to order.

4. Prepare a Black Friday wish list

With so many Black Friday deals available, having a clear shopping list can help you stay focused on what your school genuinely needs.

Start by speaking to teachers, teaching assistants and subject leaders to identify resources that would be useful across the school.

You could organise your wish list into categories such as:

• Classroom essentials: Exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers and stationery.
• Arts and crafts: Paper, card, paints, glue sticks and seasonal craft materials.
• Classroom organisation: Storage boxes, trays, folders and labelling supplies.
• Teaching resources: Whiteboards, maths resources and other curriculum materials.
• School supplies: Everyday items needed for classrooms, offices and shared learning spaces.

Once you’ve identified the products you need, make a note of the retailers selling them and bookmark the relevant pages.

It’s also worth identifying alternative products in case your first choice sells out.

If your chosen supplier offers an online wish list or basket feature, use it to organise potential purchases ahead of time. Just remember that prices and availability may change before checkout.

Top tip: Prioritise essential resources first, followed by useful extras that can be purchased if your budget allows.

5. Set a clear Black Friday budget

Perhaps the most important Black Friday shopping tip is to establish a realistic budget before you begin.

A discounted product isn’t necessarily a worthwhile purchase if your school doesn’t need it.

Start by reviewing your available budget and identifying which purchases would provide the greatest benefit to pupils and staff.

Creating a simple spreadsheet can help you keep track of planned spending. Include the product name, quantity required, usual price, Black Friday price and total estimated cost.

This gives you a clearer picture of how much you’re spending and whether you’re achieving meaningful savings.

For larger purchases, school business managers should also consider whether existing supplier agreements or procurement arrangements offer better long-term value.

Top tip: Keep a small allowance for essential last-minute purchases, but avoid exceeding your agreed budget simply because an offer appears too good to miss.

What mistakes should schools avoid when shopping on Black Friday?

While Black Friday can help schools save money, there are a few common mistakes worth avoiding.

One is purchasing unnecessary products simply because they’re discounted. It’s also important not to assume that every Black Friday offer is the lowest available price.

Schools should avoid overlooking delivery costs, buying excessive quantities without checking storage space or purchasing resources that don’t meet their requirements.

For school business managers, another consideration is ensuring that purchases follow the school’s financial procedures and any applicable procurement rules.

A little preparation can prevent rushed decisions and help ensure that every purchase delivers genuine value.

How can schools make the most of Black Friday savings?

The best approach is to think beyond Black Friday itself.

Rather than focusing entirely on immediate classroom needs, consider what your school will require over the coming weeks and months.

For example, stocking up on frequently used stationery or purchasing craft supplies for upcoming activities may reduce the need for additional orders later in the term.

Working with teachers and subject leaders can also help identify shared requirements, making it easier to organise purchases and avoid ordering duplicate resources.

At GLS, we understand the importance of helping schools manage everyday purchasing needs. From classroom stationery and exercise books to arts and crafts supplies, having access to suitable educational resources makes it easier to plan ahead and keep classrooms equipped.

By combining careful budgeting with practical planning, schools can make Black Friday a useful opportunity rather than an unnecessary spending exercise.

Make your school budget go further this Black Friday

Whether this is your first time shopping for school supplies during Black Friday or you’re already experienced at finding bargains, preparation makes all the difference.

By following your favourite suppliers, researching products, setting up online accounts, preparing a wish list and sticking to your budget, you can make smarter purchasing decisions and find genuine savings for your school.

Remember, the best Black Friday bargain isn’t always the biggest discount. It’s finding the right resources at the right price to support your pupils, staff and school.