Despite the summer holidays being in full swing, it’s also that time of year when the ‘back to school’ list starts to loom. Whether your child is starting school in September or moving up a year, buying new uniform is another cost we have to budget for. 

How to save money on school uniform

According to The Children’s Society, uniform costs parents more than £300 per year. Schools are encouraged to limit the number of items in their uniform that have logos, so that parents can stock up on non-branded kit from supermarkets and high street chains for a lower cost.  

Your child’s school can also help to source second hand uniforms - local parent WhatsApp groups are another way of tracking them down. You might also find deals on Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace in your area. For items without logos like shoes and sports kit you can look in charity shops or on sites like Vinted and eBay for affordable options.  

You could also talk to parents of older children to see if they have any uniform that’s no longer needed. But if you are struggling with costs, there’s help out there.

School uniform grant

You may be eligible for a grant towards your child’s school uniform if you receive certain benefits such as Universal Credit. If your child qualifies for free school meals because of your income you are more than likely eligible for a school uniform grant.  

How much could I get?

At most you could get up to £200 towards the cost of school uniform, but it varies depending on where you live and how old your child is.  

In England you’ll need to get in touch with your local council to find out how much you can claim and how to apply.  

In Northern Ireland you can claim up to £67.20 per child. Find out more on the Education Authority site.  

In Scotland you can get up to £150 in grants for uniform. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply on the mygov.scot site.  

In Wales you can claim up to £200 towards uniform costs. Visit the gov.wales site to find out who can apply.  

How to apply for a school uniform grant

Your first port of call should be to contact your local council. They will be able to tell you who is eligible for a school uniform grant and how much you can claim.  

In England councils set their own school uniform grant eligibility criteria. You might find that for your council your child may have to be in a specific year group or moving from primary to secondary school to qualify, for example.  

MoneySavingExpert has published a list of all the councils in England that are offering school uniform grants. The eligibility for school uniform grants is often the same as for free school meals. Find out what your local council’s requirements are.

Check you’re not missing out on any benefits available to you using MoneyHelper's Benefits calculator.

Other options

If your council doesn't provide a school uniform grant, you may be able to apply for financial help through the Household Support Fund. This is available to all councils in England to support vulnerable households with the cost of essentials. This year’s funding runs until 31 March 2026. 

It’s also worth checking what other grants are available. You can search for these using the Turn2us Grants Search.