How to Save Money on School Uniform - The Complete UK Guide

Why School Uniform Costs So Much

The average parent spends over £213 per child on school uniform each year, according to the Children’s Society. That is not a small number – and if you have got two or three children, it adds up fast. Between blazers with logos, PE kits that are only sold by one supplier, and shoes that get wrecked on the playground within a term, it can feel like the costs never stop.

But here is the thing: you do not have to spend that much. There are genuine ways to cut the cost of school uniform to under £80 per child without sending them in looking scruffy. This guide covers every angle – from where to buy cheap to grants you might not know exist.

School children in uniform — School uniform costs add up fast – but there are ways to cut them dramatically

1. Check If You Qualify for a School Uniform Grant

This is the first thing you should do, because free money is always the best kind. Some local councils in England, plus all councils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, offer school uniform grants worth between £50 and £150 per child.

The eligibility rules vary by area, but you generally qualify if you receive:

Universal Credit (income below £16,190)
Income Support or Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Child Tax Credit (income below £16,190)
Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guarantee element of Pension Credit

Even if your council does not advertise it prominently, call and ask. Many councils have discretionary funds that are not widely publicised. Search “school uniform grant” plus your local council name on gov.uk to check your area.

2. Buy from Supermarkets – Not the School Supplier

This is where the biggest savings are. A logo blazer from the school’s official supplier can cost £35-60. A plain blazer from George at Asda, Tesco or Matalan? £8-15. The only difference is the logo.

Most schools now allow plain items with just a small logo on the blazer pocket or a sewn-on badge. Here is what to do:

Ask the school which items must have the logo and which can be plain. You will be surprised how many items are flexible
Buy plain trousers, skirts, shirts and PE shorts from supermarkets – they are identical quality for a fraction of the price
Only buy logo items (blazer, tie, PE top) from the official supplier, and even then, check if they sell iron-on or sew-on badges you can apply yourself
George at Asda and Tesco F&F consistently offer the cheapest plain uniform items. Matalan is also worth a look for basics

A full comparison: the official supplier for a typical secondary school charges around £120 for a complete uniform set. Buying most items from supermarkets with just the logo blazer drops that to roughly £50-65.

Back to school shopping — Supermarket uniform can save you £50+ per child compared to official suppliers

3. Use Second-Hand Uniform Schemes

Most schools have a second-hand uniform sale or swap scheme, but they do not always advertise it well. Here is where to look:

Ask at the school office – they almost always have a pile of good-condition uniform that parents have donated
Join your school’s Facebook group – parents are constantly giving away outgrown uniform for free or selling it for £1-2 per item
Check local Facebook Marketplace – search your school name plus “uniform”
Look on Vinted – yes, school uniform is on Vinted now. Search by school name
PTA nearly-new sales – many PTAs run termly sales where you can pick up blazers for £5 and ties for £1

The key insight: children grow fast. A blazer worn for one term before the child hits a growth spurt is essentially new. These items are out there for pennies.

4. Time Your Purchases Right

When you buy matters almost as much as where you buy:

July is the best month – supermarkets launch their Back to School ranges with heavy discounts. Asda, Tesco and Matalan often do 2-for-1 or 20% off uniform deals in July
Avoid late August – by then, the good sizes are gone and the sales have ended. You will pay full price for limited stock
January sales are a good time for PE kits and coats, when retailers clear winter stock
Sign up for supermarket newsletters – they send uniform discount codes in June/July

Also: buy one size up on blazers and coats. Children grow, and a slightly large blazer lasts two years instead of one. Nobody notices.

5. The School Uniform Tax Refund Most Parents Miss

Here is one most people do not know about. If your child’s school uniform has a distinctive logo that can only be bought from a specific supplier, you may be able to claim a VAT refund on those items through your tax code. This applies to items that are only available from one source – not generic supermarket uniform.

Contact HMRC or speak to your school’s finance office. Some schools are also registered with uniform suppliers that offer VAT-free purchasing for eligible families.

6. Make Shoes Last Longer (and Cost Less)

Shoes are typically the most expensive single uniform item, and children destroy them. Here is how to cut that cost:

Clarks and Start-Rite last longest – they cost more upfront (£35-55) but survive 2-3 terms. Cheap shoes (£10-15) fall apart in weeks, so you end up buying two or three pairs
Check the Clarks outlet store – last season’s styles for 30-50% less, identical quality
Apply shoe protector spray (£3-5 from shoe shops) – it genuinely makes them last longer by repelling water and scuffs
Get them fitted properly – shoes that are too big get wrecked faster because kids drag their feet
Buy from the Asda/Tesco school range for PE shoes – they do not need to be expensive brands for indoor use
Check local Facebook groups for nearly-new school shoes – children outgrow them before wearing them out

7. What to Do When the School Insists on a Single Supplier

Some schools have contracts with a single uniform supplier that charges premium prices. If your school does this:

Ask the school to adopt the Department for Education’s uniform guidance – since September 2022, schools in England must keep uniform costs reasonable and ensure items are available from multiple sources
Request a price cap – the guidance says schools should ensure total uniform costs are reasonable and that second-hand uniform is available
Complain to the governing body if costs are excessive – they have a legal duty to consider the impact on families
Organise with other parents – schools respond to collective pressure more than individual complaints

If your school’s uniform policy is genuinely unreasonable, the DfE’s statutory guidance is on your side.

The Bottom Line

School uniform does not have to cost £213 per child. Between grants, supermarket uniform, second-hand schemes and better timing, you can realistically get it done for under £80. The key is planning ahead, asking what actually needs a logo, and never paying full price in late August when everyone else is panic-buying.

Check your grant eligibility first. Then buy early, buy plain where you can, and check the second-hand pile before you buy anything new. Your wallet will thank you.