It has been a few years since I had to do the back-to-school rush for new shoes, school uniform and all the other essentials that have been outgrown or left in the lost property box, writes Clare Moody.
I still remember that shift from the holidays to the routines of a new school year.
For many children, it can bring a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
New teachers, new classrooms, moving up a year group, or even starting at a completely new school are all significant moments.
But there are also things that parents and caregivers are navigating today that simply were not on my mind when my son was growing up.
Smartphones, social media, online gaming, group chats, Snapchat, TikTok and whatever platform comes next have become part of everyday life for young people.
For parents and caregivers, it can sometimes feel like the landscape is changing faster than anyone can keep up with.
That is one of the reasons I am pleased to be funding Pol-Ed for every school and college across Avon and Somerset.
Pol-Ed is an online education platform that provides schools with high-quality, ready-made lesson plans and resources covering topics such as online safety, exploitation, consent, anti-social behaviour and understanding the law.
Importantly, the content is regularly updated to reflect emerging issues and new legislation.
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The resources are developed by a specialist team of teachers, former teachers, police officers and subject experts who understand both education and the challenges facing young people today.
From a class for pupils in year two about what age restrictions are and why they matter, to a secondary school assembly exploring the impact of screen time and how children's online experiences have changed over the years, the materials are designed to be relevant to every stage of a young person's education.
Year eight pupils can learn about the latest legislation around deepfakes, while college students can access in-depth sessions on cyber security and spotting online scams.
By funding the programme centrally, I have made sure that schools can access it free of charge.
Since the programme launched, 101 schools across Avon and Somerset have already registered.
I am encouraged by that response, but I want to see even more schools taking advantage of these resources so that every child and young person can benefit from consistent, high-quality safety education.
As families prepare for the new school year, there is already plenty on the checklist.
But alongside buying pens, finding PE kits and labelling uniform, I would encourage parents and caregivers to add one more question to the list: is your child's school using Pol-Ed?
Your school can register by visiting pol-ed.co.uk.
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