Kitting the kids out with all their back-to-school necessities is an expensive task, but you might be able to get some help from your local council.
Some are offering up to £200 to help cover the cost of school uniforms before the start of the new term.
Here’s what you need to know…
England
Some local authorities provide free grants to help families with buying school uniforms.
Typically, to be able to claim the grant, your child needs to be eligible for free school meals. This is usually the case if you are on certain benefits, such as universal credit.
But the requirements vary depending on your local council.
Some only offer help to families with children in certain year groups. Others might not offer grants, but will give you free good quality second hand uniforms instead.
We found some councils offering £100 per secondary school-aged child or £50 for those in primary school.
The best way to check if your council is offering help is to go to its website and search ‘school uniform grant’. It’s best to do it sooner rather than later, though, because some have an application deadline of 31 July.
If your council doesn’t provide any specific grants towards the cost, it might be worth asking if it has other help available.
Councils in England have access to the Household Support Fund, which can provide them with funding to help vulnerable residents with everyday essentials.
On the government website, it says you do not have to be receiving benefits to get help from your council through the scheme.
But councils can have their own eligibility criteria, and are allowed to choose how to distribute the money at their own discretion.
Scotland
All councils in Scotland offer “school clothing grants” to vulnerable families.
They start at £120 per primary school child and £150 per secondary school child.
Who can apply, and the amount of money you’ll get, depends on your local council.
If you’re eligible, the money is normally paid directly to your bank account.
Check your local council’s website to see when you can apply for the grant. Most councils will accept applications from July until the end of March, and they usually make payments in July or August.
Wales
Similar to Scotland, all local councils in Wales offer a school essentials grant to eligible families, receiving certain benefits.
Children must be eligible for means-tested Free School Meals to qualify.
Most will get £125 towards the cost of school essentials, but if your child is entering year 7, you can get £200.
Parents and carers can claim once per child per school year.
To check if you’re eligible, contact the local authority where your child goes to school.
Northern Ireland
The Uniform Grant covers pupils in primary, post-primary and special schools.
Like the other nations, you must be claiming some benefits to be eligible, but if your child gets free school meals, you should be able to claim.
Uniform grants are available to pupils in primary, post-primary and special schools. They are not available for pupils in nursery or reception classes.
A uniform grant can pay:
- £42.90 for a primary school pupil
- £61.20 for a post-primary/special school pupil under 15 years old
- £67.20 for a post-primary/special school pupil over 15 years old
- £26.40 for a post-primary/special school pupil physical education kit
If your child is eligible for a school uniform grant, you need to apply to the Education Authority.
Are there any rules on school uniform costs?
Schools are required to follow legal guidance on the cost of school uniforms, which includes making sure they’re affordable.
In short, the guidance states:
- Schools should limit the number of branded items in the uniform
- And make sure second-hand uniforms are available. Information about this should be published on the school website
- Parents should not have to think about the cost of a school uniform when choosing which school to apply for
- Schools should make sure that their uniform supplier arrangements give the “highest priority to cost and value for money”