How much does back to school cost UK?

Average costs are £200-£400 per primary child and £300-£500+ per secondary child annually. Uniform is the biggest expense (£100-£300), plus school supplies (£30-£80), PE kit (£40-£100), shoes (£30-£70), and bags (£20-£60). Branded items cost more.

Do schools give help with uniform costs UK?

Some councils offer school uniform grants (typically £50-£150 per child). Many schools have preloved uniform schemes. Charities like Family Fund may help families in need. Some schools hold sales of second-hand uniform. Supermarkets offer affordable alternatives.

Where is the cheapest place to buy school uniform UK?

Supermarkets (Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons) are cheapest for basic uniform. Full set from £15-£20. For branded items, check second-hand, school uniform swaps, or generic alternatives if school allows. Marks & Spencer is mid-range.

Can schools force you to buy expensive uniform UK?

Schools must ensure uniform is affordable. Since 2022, statutory guidance requires schools to consider cost, keep branded items to a minimum, ensure multiple suppliers exist, and make arrangements for second-hand uniform. Complain to governors if costs are unreasonable.

Back to School Costs Guide UK — What Parents Actually Spend | PocketWise

Back to School Costs Guide UK — What Parents Actually Spend

Real costs of sending children back to school in the UK. Uniform costs, school supplies, ways to save money, and financial help available.

By PocketWise · 24 March 2026 · 4 min read

Back to school costs hit many families hard. Here’s what you’ll spend and how to reduce it.

What Back to School Costs

Primary School (Per Child)

Item	Budget	Mid-Range
Uniform (basic)	£15-£40	£50-£100
Uniform (logo items)	£30-£60	£60-£120
PE kit	£20-£40	£40-£80
Shoes (school)	£20-£40	£40-£70
Shoes (PE)	£10-£25	£25-£50
Coat	£15-£30	£30-£60
Bag	£10-£25	£25-£50
Supplies (stationery)	£10-£20	£20-£40
Total	£130-£280	£290-£570

Secondary School (Per Child)

Item	Budget	Mid-Range
Uniform (basic)	£30-£60	£80-£150
Uniform (logo items)	£50-£100	£100-£200
PE kit	£40-£80	£80-£150
Shoes (school)	£30-£50	£50-£80
Shoes (PE trainers)	£20-£40	£40-£80
Coat	£20-£50	£50-£100
Bag	£15-£40	£40-£80
Supplies/equipment	£30-£60	£60-£100
Calculator/tech	£10-£30	£30-£100
Total	£245-£510	£530-£1,040

Uniform Costs in Detail

Basic Uniform per Child

Item	Supermarket	M&S	Branded/School Shop
Polo shirts (2)	£4-£6	£10-£14	£15-£25
Trousers/skirt (2)	£6-£10	£16-£24	£25-£40
Cardigan/jumper (2)	£5-£8	£12-£18	£20-£35
Shirts (2)	£6-£9	£12-£16	£18-£30
Summer dress (2)	£5-£8	£14-£20	£25-£40

Logo Items (Typical Costs)

Item	Typical Cost
Logo jumper/cardigan	£12-£25
Logo polo shirt	£8-£15
Logo PE top	£10-£20
Logo tie	£5-£10
Logo bag	£15-£40
Blazer (secondary)	£25-£60

PE Kit

Item	Budget	Mid-Range
PE shorts	£3-£6	£8-£15
PE t-shirt	£3-£6	£8-£15
Tracksuit bottoms	£6-£12	£15-£30
PE hoodie	£8-£15	£20-£40
Trainers	£10-£25	£30-£60
Football boots	£15-£30	£40-£70
PE/swimming bag	£5-£10	£10-£20

Where to Buy Cheap Uniform

Supermarket Uniform

Supermarket	Full Set From
Aldi	£4-£5
Lidl	£4-£5
Asda	£5-£6
Tesco	£6-£8
Sainsbury’s	£8-£10
Morrisons	£7-£9

Full set = polo shirts, trousers/skirt, cardigan/jumper

When to Buy

Timing	Benefit
End of summer term	Second-hand sales
July-August	Supermarket ranges in stock
Early August	Best selection
September	Sales on leftover stock
January sales	Stock up for next year

Second-Hand Uniform

Where to Find

Source	What to Expect
School PTA sales	Logo items, good condition
Facebook Marketplace	All types
Uniform 4 Kids (charity)	Free for families in need
Vinted	Various
eBay	Bundles available
School reception	Some schools collect donations

Cost Savings

Item	New	Second-Hand
Blazer	£40-£60	£5-£15
Logo jumper	£15-£25	£3-£8
PE kit bundle	£50-£80	£10-£20

What to Buy Second-Hand

Good Second-Hand	Buy New
Blazers	Underwear
Jumpers/cardigans	Socks
Coats	Shoes (unless barely worn)
PE kit	Anything with hygiene concerns
Bags	—

Financial Help Available

School Uniform Grants

Provider	Typical Amount
Local council (means-tested)	£50-£150 per child
Check your council	Varies by area
Eligibility	Usually linked to free school meals

How to Apply

Step	Action
1	Check council website
2	Search “school uniform grant [council name]”
3	Check eligibility criteria
4	Apply before deadline

Other Help

Source	Type of Help
School hardship fund	Discretionary help
PTA assistance	May help families in need
Family Fund	For families with disabled children
Local charities	Vary by area

Free School Meals Connection

If You Get FSM	You May Also Get
Uniform grant	Often linked
Free school trips	Some schools
Music lesson assistance	Some schools
Help with equipment	Some schools

School Supplies

Primary School Needs

Item	Cost
Pencils, pens	£2-£5
Ruler, rubber	£2
Colouring pencils	£3-£6
Glue stick	£1-£2
Scissors	£2-£3
Exercise books (if needed)	£3-£6
Book bag	£5-£15
Water bottle	£3-£8
Lunchbox	£5-£15
Total	£26-£62

Secondary School Needs

Item	Cost
Pens (various colours)	£3-£8
Pencils, ruler, rubber	£3-£5
Highlighters	£2-£4
Notebooks/folders	£5-£15
Scientific calculator	£8-£15
Geometry set	£3-£6
Subject-specific items	£10-£30
Locker padlock	£3-£8
Planner/diary	£5-£10
USB stick	£5-£10
Total	£47-£111

Saving on Supplies

Strategy	Saving
Poundshops	Major savings
Supermarket multipacks	Good value
Reuse from last year	Free
End of term sales	Stock up early
Amazon basics	Often cheaper

Summary: Back to School Checklist

Before Shopping

Task	Done
Check school’s uniform requirements	☐
Audit what they already have	☐
Check for uniform grants	☐
Check preloved sales dates	☐
Set a budget	☐

Shopping Strategy

Priority	Where to Buy
Logo items	School shop/second-hand
Basic uniform	Supermarket
PE kit	Supermarket unless branded required
Shoes	Sales, clarks outlet, sports direct
Supplies	Poundshop, supermarket

Key Dates

When	What
End of summer term	School second-hand sales
July	Supermarket ranges launch
Early August	Best selection
Late August	Start selling out
September	Back-to-school sales

Budget Summary

Age Group	Budget Option	Mid-Range
Primary	£130-£280	£290-£570
Secondary	£245-£510	£530-£1,040

Money-Saving Tips

Tip	Reason
Buy supermarket basics	70%+ cheaper than branded
Check second-hand first	Logo items especially
Buy slightly bigger	Lasts longer
Check school rules carefully	Avoid buying wrong items
Apply for grants	If eligible
Join school uniform swap groups	Facebook, local community

Back-to-school costs are significant but manageable with planning. Start early, use the cheapest options where allowed, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if needed.