Money & Budgeting

Back to School Costs UK — Complete Guide & Money-Saving Tips

Complete guide to back to school costs UK. Uniforms, supplies, and money-saving tips for parents. How to reduce costs and get help if you're struggling.

By PocketWise · · 4 min read

Back to school can be expensive. Here’s how to manage costs and find savings.

Average Costs by Age

Primary School

Item Typical Cost
Uniform (polo shirts, trousers/skirts, cardigan) £50-100
Coat £20-50
PE kit £30-50
Shoes (school + PE) £40-80
Bags and lunch box £20-40
Stationery £10-20
Total £170-340

Secondary School

Item Typical Cost
Uniform (blazer, shirts, trousers/skirts) £100-250
Coat £30-80
PE kit (multiple items) £60-100
Shoes (school + PE + possibly football boots) £60-150
Bags £30-80
Stationery £20-50
Calculator/equipment £10-30
Total £310-740

Additional Costs

Item Annual Cost
School trips £50-200
Music lessons £100-500
After-school clubs £100-300
Packed lunches £400-600
Technology (if needed) £200-500

Money-Saving Strategies

Uniform Savings

Strategy Potential Saving
Supermarket basics 50-70% vs school shop
Second-hand uniforms 70-90%
Buy larger for growth Avoids mid-year replacement
Multi-packs Better value
Iron-on logos Instead of embroidered

Price Comparison: Polo Shirts

Retailer Pack of 2
Supermarket £3-5
High street £8-12
School shop £10-20

Price Comparison: Trousers

Retailer Per Pair
Supermarket £6-10
High street £12-20
School shop £20-35

Where to Buy

Retailer Best For
Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s Basic uniform
M&S Quality basics
Matalan, Primark Budget options
School shop Required branded items
Second-hand sales Best savings

Second-Hand Options

Finding Second-Hand Uniform

Source How to Find
School sales Ask the school
PTA events Usually term end
Facebook groups “[School name] uniform”
Uniform banks Local charities
Charity shops Hit or miss
Vinted/eBay Search by school

What to Buy Second-Hand

Good for Second-Hand Buy New
Blazers Underwear
Coats Socks
PE tops PE shorts
Jumpers Shoes (usually)
Ties

Selling Outgrown Uniform

Do Get
Sell what you don’t need Money back
PTA donation Sometimes credit
Help other families Part of community

Financial Help Available

School Uniform Grants

Provider Typical Amount
Local council £50-150
School hardship fund Variable
Uniform banks Free items
Charity schemes Free/subsidised

Eligibility (Varies by Council)

Usually Qualify If Details
On Universal Credit With limited capital
On Housing Benefit Some councils
On Council Tax Support Some councils
Low income Below threshold

How to Apply

Step Action
1 Check your council website
2 Search “school uniform grant [your council]”
3 Apply online/by form
4 Deadline often July-August

Other Help

Source What
Buttle UK Trust Grants for families
Family Action Education grants
Turn2us Grant search tool
School Ask about hardship fund

Timing Your Purchases

When to Buy What

Timing Best For
May-June Shoes (sale time)
Late June Supermarket uniform launches
July Second-hand sales
Early August Best selection
Late August Sales (but picked over)
September Emergency only (expensive)

Plan Ahead

End of Year Action
Check what still fits Write list
Note sizes needed For next year
Buy in January sales Shoes, coats for next year
Store larger sizes From sales

Reducing Ongoing Costs

Packed Lunches

Approach Weekly Cost
Packed lunch (budget) £10-15
Packed lunch (average) £15-25
School meals £12-15 (varies)

Packed Lunch Savings

Tip Saving
Batch cooking Cheaper per portion
Own bottle (not single-use) £1-2/day
Whole fruit vs pots 50% less
Leftovers Nearly free

Free School Meals

Qualify If Details
On Universal Credit Under income threshold
On Income Support
On income-based JSA
Asylum seeker NASS support
Worth Details
Primary ~£2.50/day
Secondary ~£2.50-3/day
Per year ~£475+

School Trip Costs

Managing Trip Expenses

Strategy Benefit
Payment plans Spread cost
Talk to school If struggling
Prioritise Not every trip
Pupil premium May cover trips

School Should

Requirement Details
Not exclude If you can’t pay
Offer installments For expensive trips
Have hardship fund For struggling families

Essential Supplies List

Primary School Basics

Item Approx Cost
Book bag or rucksack £10-30
Water bottle £5-10
Pencil case £3-8
Lunch box £5-15
Art apron £5
Reading record folder Often free

Secondary School Essentials

Item Approx Cost
Large rucksack £20-60
Scientific calculator £10-15
Geometry set £3-5
Pencil case + contents £10-15
Locker padlock £5-8
Dictionary If required

Stationery Bundles

Where Typical Cost
Supermarket bundle £5-10
WHSmith £10-20
Staples £8-15
Poundland/Home Bargains £3-5

Checklist by School Year

Reception/Year 1-6

Item Have Need
3+ polo shirts ☐ ☐
2+ pairs trousers/skirts ☐ ☐
Cardigan/jumper ☐ ☐
Summer dress (if girl) ☐ ☐
PE kit ☐ ☐
School shoes ☐ ☐
Trainers ☐ ☐
Coat ☐ ☐
Book bag ☐ ☐
Water bottle ☐ ☐
Lunch box (if needed) ☐ ☐

Year 7+

Item Have Need
Blazer ☐ ☐
5+ shirts ☐ ☐
2+ pairs trousers/skirts ☐ ☐
Tie ☐ ☐
PE kit (indoor/outdoor) ☐ ☐
Football boots ☐ ☐
School shoes ☐ ☐
Trainers ☐ ☐
Coat ☐ ☐
Large bag ☐ ☐
Full stationery ☐ ☐
Calculator ☐ ☐

Summary

Key Savings

Strategy Potential Saving
Supermarket uniform 50-70%
Second-hand blazer £50-100
School uniform grant £50-150
Buy early vs last minute 20-30%
Multi-packs 20-30%

Action Checklist

Timing Action
June Check uniform grant eligibility
July Second-hand sales, supermarket launch
Early August Buy remaining items
Throughout year Check sales for next year

Help Available

Need Where
Uniform grant Council website
Second-hand School, Facebook, charity
Financial help Turn2us grants
Free school meals Gov.uk/apply

You Might Also Find Useful

Sources

  1. MoneyHelper — Everyday money