Parker Jotter Rollerball Pen Stainless Steel with Fine Point Black Ink

What you're getting

This is a proper grown-up pen that actually works. Stainless steel, fine point black ink, and the kind of classic design that doesn't need faffing about with. It'll do homework, it'll do your own work, and it won't vanish into the school bag abyss quite as quickly as the disposable stuff does.

It's built to last, which means you're not replacing it every five minutes. That matters when you've got two kids and a to-do list the length of your arm.