Back-to-school costs can cost families thousands of pounds - but new rules this year are aimed at tackling the pressure on your pocket.
I’ll explain what is changing and why, plus give practical tips on how to save money.
Key takeaways
- A back-to-school shop costs families around £300 per child, while total annual school costs can run into thousands of pounds.
- New rules from September 2026 will limit the number of compulsory branded uniform items, while free breakfast clubs and free school meals are expanding.
- Parents can save through uniform swaps, second-hand shops and supermarket ranges, while lower-income families may qualify for grants or council support.
How much does back-to-school shopping cost?
The financial burden of providing uniforms and other essentials for education adds huge pressure to families' pockets.
The average cost per child is over £1,000 a year for primary school-aged children and £2,300 a year for secondary school kids, according to Child Poverty Action Group and Loughborough University's Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP), based on 2024 figures.
And a back-to-school shop costs families around £300 per child, according to research by Nationwide.
On top of expensive uniforms, families have to factor in costs for other essentials such as school meals, lunch bags, winter coats, new shoes, books and stationary.
What’s changing for back-to-school costs in 2026?
New rules from September mean that schools must limit the number of compulsory branded items of uniform and PE kits to three or fewer.
Secondary and middle schools can have a limit of four items, if one is a tie.
Over 1,400 more schools will get free breakfast clubs, taking the number to 2,700 that operate across England, with 680,000 children benefiting in total.
From September 2026, free school meals in England expand to all children in households receiving Universal Credit. Previously, this was capped if you earned over £7,400 a year.
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School shirts or polo shirts
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Trousers, skirts or pinafores
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Jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan
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Blazer and tie
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Socks or tights
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School shoes
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Coat or waterproof jacket
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PE T-shirt and shorts
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Jogging bottoms or leggings
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Trainers
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PE bag
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School bag or book bag
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Lunch box
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Reusable water bottle
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Pencil case
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Pens and pencils
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Pencil sharpener and eraser
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Ruler
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Calculator or maths set
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Notebook
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Laptop or tablet, if required
Your back-to-school checklist
Use our handy checklist to make sure you’re prepared:
How to cut the cost of back-to-school shopping
Parents can get cheap or free back-to-school items by finding out if their school does a uniform swap. If they don’t, parents may have set up an unofficial Facebook group, so it’s worth chatting to other families or checking online.
You should also try local charity shops and second-hand platforms such as Uniformerly and Vinted.
The Salvation Army is giving away thousands of free school uniform items this summer, so it’s worth checking your local branch.
Buy only the branded items required by the school from its approved supplier.
Supermarket prices tend to be much cheaper than high street shops, but stock sells quickly.
Compare prices online before you go
Other ways to save include bulk-buying with fellow parents, using cashback and discount sites such as TopCashback and VoucherCodes, and shopping during seasonal sales.
Spreading purchases throughout the year can also make the cost more manageable than paying for everything in one large end-of-August shop.
Try to buy clothing slightly bigger if you can so that they last longer.
How to get financial help if you’re struggling
Families on lower incomes may be able to get help with the cost of school uniforms, although the amount available and eligibility rules depend on where they live.
In Wales, eligible families can claim £125 per child through the School Essentials Grant, rising to £200 for pupils entering Year 7. The money can also be spent on items including sports kits, school bags and stationery.
In Scotland, eligible families receive at least £120 for each primary-school child and £150 for each secondary-school child, although some councils may pay more.
In Northern Ireland, grants range from £42.90 for primary pupils to £67.20 for older post-primary pupils. A further £26.40 may be available towards PE kit.
There is no nationwide school-uniform grant in England, so the help available varies between councils. For example, Islington Council offers £150 to eligible pupils moving from primary to secondary school.
Families struggling with the cost may also be able to claim emergency help through their council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund or another local welfare scheme. Check what is available in your area.
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