Blazers, jumpers, PE kit, shoes, a coat, a bag, and a pencil case that apparently must be a very particular kind. By the time the new term starts, the back to school bill can easily run into hundreds of pounds per child.
With a little planning, you can bring that down a long way. Here is how.
Start With What You Already Have
Before you buy anything, empty the wardrobes and the school bags. Try everything on. You may find last year’s jumper still fits, or that a younger sibling can inherit trousers. Make a list of what you actually need, and stick to it.
Know What the School Requires
Schools in England must follow government guidance to keep uniform costs reasonable, including keeping branded items to a minimum and allowing cheaper alternatives where possible. Check the uniform list carefully:
- which items must carry the school logo
- which can be plain items from any shop
- whether iron on or sew on badges are allowed
Plain supermarket polo shirts, trousers and skirts are often a fraction of the price of the specialist shop.
Go Pre Loved
Many schools and PTAs run second hand uniform sales or swap rails, often for a small donation. Local community groups and online marketplaces are good places to find logo items too. Children grow so quickly that most pre loved uniform looks almost new.
And when your child outgrows theirs, pass it on. It helps another family and keeps clothes out of landfill.
School Shoes: Spend Where It Counts
Shoes are the one place where cheaper is not always better. Badly fitting shoes can hurt growing feet. Get your child’s feet measured, then look for sales, discount codes and end of season offers on good quality brands. Buying a size up “to grow into” is not recommended for school shoes, as they can rub and slip.
Stationery Without the Splurge
Check what the school actually provides before you buy. Many primary schools supply most of what children need. For secondary school, buy the basics and wait for the first week’s list from teachers before buying anything specialist.
Supermarket and discount shop stationery is usually just as good as branded alternatives.
Check for Help With Costs
Some local councils offer school clothing grants for families on low incomes. Help varies by area, so check your council’s website. If you are struggling, have a quiet word with the school office. Many schools have discreet support for families who need it, and you will not be the first to ask.
Label Everything
Lost jumpers are a hidden back to school cost. Name labels or a laundry marker will save you a small fortune over the year.
What You Cannot Control
You cannot control the school’s uniform policy or the price of children’s shoes. You can control where you shop, what you buy and how you talk about it at home.
Your child will not remember whether their jumper came from the uniform shop or the swap rail. They will remember walking in on the first day feeling ready and loved. That is what really counts.
Read next: Tax-Free Childcare and Funded Hours Explained, Pocket Money Lessons and New School Year Routines That Actually Last.
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