5 ways to get discount on kids shoes including FREE Clarks pair until February if they grow out of them
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
PARENTS who are looking to save cash on kids shoes can take advantage of money-saving schemes at Clarks, Shoezone and more.
For example, Clarks will swap new kids shoes for a FREE pair until February if your little one grows out of them.
You can also get £5 off at Shoezone when you spend £25 or more just by signing up to its free loyalty scheme.
The discounts could come in handy as Prime Minister Boris Johnson aims to get schoolkids back in classrooms for September following the coronavirus crisis.
Recent research from The Children’s Society showed parents spend £337 on average per child each year on uniform for secondary school children.
For primary school children, parents spend around £315 on average on uniform.
To help save you cash, we explain five ways to get discounts on kids shoes.
Clarks: FREE pair of shoes if they grow out of them
Clarks has promised to swap out-grown kids shoes with a new pair until February 2021.
The retailer says it'll give your child fresh shoes if the pair you're handing in were purchased after being fitted by their staff.
There is no extra cost to getting your kids' shoes fitted, you just need to ask an available member of staff in store.
The deal applies to all full price back to school kids shoes, including school shoes, boots, plimsolls and sports shoes.
The shoes must have been purchased from a Clarks shop between July 13 and September 14 this year.
Clarks says infant sizes 10 and above can be swapped until February 28 next year.
But for infant sizes 7 to 9.5, Clarks says you only have November 30, 2020, to swap them for a new pair.
Shoes bought online aren't eligible for the swap service.
Shoezone: £5 off when you spend £25
Shoezone customers can get £5 when they next spend £25 or more by signing up to its free Shoezone Club loyalty scheme.
This is free to do. To sign up, you just need to register with your email address on the .
Keep in mind that by signing up, you'll be agreeing to receive email updates from Shoezone.
The Sun has asked Shoezone if the money off comes in the form of an emailed discount code, and if it can be spent in store and online.
We'll update this article when we find out more.
Schuh: £5 off for donating old shoes
Save £5 off your next shop at Schuh by handing in your old, unwanted shoes.
To get the money off through its Sell Your Soles scheme, customers just need to return any used - but wearable - shoes to their nearest store.
The shoes don’t have to have been purchased from Schuh, so you can hand in a pair from any retailer.
But the money you’ll get in return will come as a voucher, so you can only spend it on products from Schuh.
The voucher can be used online or in any Schuh store, but you'll need to spend a minimum of £25 to redeem it.
If you’re shopping online, this won’t include delivery costs.
It also can't be redeemed against sale items or with any other offers.
Schuh and Office: 'Secret' discount websites
Schuh and Office have special websites, separate from their normal online stores, where you can pick up ex-display shoes.
Both websites - and - have been praised by MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis as a great way to save cash.
In fact, deal hunters can save as much as 66% on brands such as Adidas and Puma.
Among his best finds, Martin found Puma Suede trainers reduced from £62 to £21 - a saving of £41.
As these are ex-display models, some will have suffered wear-and-tear and often have minor scuff marks.
And because each website sometimes only lists one pair of shoes per design, some styles will go quickly.
Office customers will pay £3.50 on delivery for orders under £65, while Schuh charges £3 for standard delivery on orders below £25.
School uniform grant worth £150
Parents may be able to claim up to £150 to help cover the cost of buying new school uniform.
As its name suggests, the school uniform grant includes the cost of clothing and shoes.
Sadly, families in England face a postcode lottery to see if they can claim - this is because councils don't have to provide the extra financial support.
Lots of councils no longer offer the grant, with some blaming years of cutbacks.
But you can use the to see what's available in your area.
Who is eligible for financial help with school uniforms?
RULES vary but generally you will qualify for a school uniform grant in England if you receive one of the following:
- Income support
- Jobseeker's allowance (income based)
- Child tax credit - provided you are not entitled to working tax credit
- Employment support allowance (ESA)
- State pension - this benefit must be your sole source of income
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit
You may also be able to apply if your annual household income is less than £16,190.
You are likely to be asked to prove that you are legally responsible for the child by providing a recent copy of your bank statement confirming the payment of child benefit to your account.
Rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are slightly different.
Start by entering your postcode to find out which council you fall under.
Then, visit your council's website and click on the education tab or search for "uniform grant".
If your council doesn't offer help, you can always speak to the school directly.
You may also be able to apply if your annual household income is less than £16,190.
If you live in , or , you'll need to apply for a school uniform grant through separate websites.
Most read in Money
Vulnerable kids to get 150,000 laptops to help them study from home – can you get one?
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Plus, we've rounded up everything you need to know about school holiday meal vouchers including everywhere you can spend them.
It comes as Poundland enters the school uniform price war with clothing from £1.