Updated August 2026
The end of summer brings its own kind of pressure. The holidays are winding down, the school bags need sorting, and the costs of a new term arrive all at once - uniform, shoes, PE kit, stationery. For many families, back-to-school spending comes straight after six weeks of trying to make money stretch through the holidays.
Save the Children's Big Summer Survey 2026 found that 47% of parents are most worried about school uniform as a back-to-school cost, and a third are going without things for themselves to cover the bills. You're not alone in finding this stretch of the year hard.
This page covers the new uniform rules starting this September, where to find help with costs, and how to support your child through the transition back to school.
New school uniform rules from September 2026
This September, new rules come into force that should help reduce uniform costs for families across England.
From September 2026, schools should not require parents and carers to buy more than three items of branded school uniform. Secondary and middle schools may ask for four items if a tie is one of them.
This means if your child's school is asking you to buy more than three branded items - blazer, jumper, and branded bag, for example - they may not be following the new guidance. You can check your school's uniform policy, which should be published on its website and available for all parents, including parents of prospective pupils.
Schools are also now required to ensure that opportunities to acquire second-hand uniforms are freely accessible to all parents, with information on second-hand uniforms published on the school's website.
Despite these changes, 73% of parents are still being required to buy expensive branded uniforms - so it's worth knowing your rights and asking questions if costs feel unreasonable.
What to do if your school isn't following the new rules
Raise it with the headteacher directly. Schools have until September 2026 to comply - if you believe your school is requiring more branded items than the new limit allows, you can contact the headteacher in writing referencing the GOV.UK statutory guidance on school uniform costs.
Help with uniform and back-to-school costs
What does school uniform actually cost in 2026?
Before the new rules, the government estimated uniform costs at £440 per year for secondary pupils and £340 for primary pupils. The average yearly spend has climbed to £141.15 in 2026, up from £108.59 in 2025, with more than half of parents (57.9%) saying they will have to spend even more over the rest of the year to cover replacements, growth spurts and seasonal changes.
Where to find second-hand and low-cost uniform
Your school is now required to make second-hand uniform available and publicise it on their website. Ask at the school office or contact the headteacher if you can't find this information. Many schools run swap shops or sales in the first week of September.
Baby banks are also stepping up. Save the Children is a founding partner of the Baby Bank Alliance, which works with more than 250 baby banks across the UK. In 2025, baby banks gave away 84,000 pairs of shoes and 340,000 books - and many also provide uniform staples including shirts, coats, and school bags.
"Baby banks provide vital emergency support in communities, helping families on low incomes with essentials. There is a vast network across the country and they don't just provide clothes for babies but can help with uniform staples, books and shoes for children too. Late summer is a particularly difficult time for families, and while not all baby banks provide back-to-school items, they are all ready to help." - Hannah Pentith, Executive Lead, Baby Bank Alliance
Facebook Marketplace, local community groups, and Freecycle are also worth checking. And our Save the Children shops stock quality second-hand children's clothing and shoes at low prices.
Council grants and school hardship funds
Many local councils offer discretionary uniform grants, particularly for children starting secondary school. Search "[your council name] school uniform grant" to check what's available. Apply as early as possible - funds are limited and often close before term starts.
In Scotland, apply for a school clothing grant through mygov.scot. In Wales, apply for the Pupil Development Grant through gov.wales. In Northern Ireland, apply through the Education Authority.
Many schools also have hardship funds that aren't publicly advertised. Speaking directly to the headteacher or school office is always worth doing - a quiet conversation about financial difficulty will often open doors that aren't signposted.
What parents told us about back-to-school costs
Our survey found that to manage the costs of returning to school, a third of parents are going without things for themselves (34%), a third are cutting back on household spending (28%), and 28% are using savings. One in five (19%) borrow money or use credit. A quarter (25%) work extra hours to cover the bills.
One quarter of parents will cut back on their own food shopping to cover back-to-school costs. Almost a third (29%) will delay personal purchases like clothes, and 29% will reduce spending on hobbies or social activities.
"After the long summer break, parents are hit with fresh costs in August to get their children ready for the start of school. Uniform, shoes and rucksacks can be extremely expensive, especially for larger families, and it can be hard to buy everything that's needed especially when many parents are fresh from trying to fund days out and activities. The UK Government has made a good start by limiting branded items to reduce costs but the cost-of-living crisis is still making life hard for families." - Dan Paskins, Executive Director for UK Impact, Save the Children
Helping your child transition back to school
The shift from six weeks of unstructured time back to early mornings and full school days is a significant change for children - and for parents. A little preparation goes a long way.
Sleep routines. Start shifting bedtimes and wake times earlier about a week before term starts. Sudden changes are hard on children - gradual shifts of 15 to 20 minutes every couple of days are easier to manage.
Talk about what's coming. Ask your child what they're looking forward to and what they're worried about. Children who feel heard tend to transition more easily than those who are surprised by returning stress.
Keep the first week low-key. The first week back is tiring even for children who enjoy school. If possible, avoid scheduling extra activities in that first week and give children time to decompress after school.
For children with anxiety about the return. Some children find the transition genuinely distressing, not just tiring. Our blog 5 ways to help your child with back-to-school anxiety covers practical, age-appropriate strategies.
What parents told us about how they feel at the end of summer: a third of parents (34%) are looking forward to the routine returning, but the same number said they were financially stretched. A quarter said they were relieved the holidays are over, with the same number anxious about the months ahead. If that's you - those feelings are completely normal, and you're in the majority.
Monty, four, with his dad (and founder of Dadbods) Col, at their Sunday meetup, Belfast Anna Sass
Heading into autumn: what to prepare for
Back-to-school is just the beginning of a stretch that brings its own set of financial pressures. Our survey found that four in ten parents (43%) are already worried about managing energy bills as we head into autumn, and the same number are worried about affording Christmas presents (43%).
If you're already thinking about those pressures, it's worth checking now what support you might be entitled to:
The Warm Home Discount scheme opens again in autumn - check your eligibility at GOV.UK from around October 2026.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund, run by your local council, can help with essential costs including energy and food if you're facing a sudden financial shock. Search "[your council name] Crisis and Resilience Fund."
Citizens Advice (or Advice NI if you're in Northern Ireland) can do a full benefits check to make sure you're not missing support you're entitled to.
More support from Save the Children
- Help with costs during the school holidays - food banks, energy bills, the Holiday Activities and Food programme
- How to talk to your child about money and not having enough
- Parenting Tips & Advice for every stage
- School Anxiety: 5 Ways to Help Children With Back to School Worries
- Find a Save the Children shop near you - second-hand uniform, shoes, books and more
