Back to school costs hit £134 – how to save on the cost of school uniforms

THERE’S still time for mums and dads to save big when sending their kids back to school as we reveal the best ways to keep costs down.

It comes as research firm Mintel has found that parents spent an average of £134 on school uniforms and shoes alone – up 6 per cent from £127 in 2017.

When you add on the cost of computer equipment at £220 and sportswear at £74 that takes the grand total £428.

Mintel said this average spend is per family and is based on 599 internet users over the age of 16 who are parents of children aged 4 to 17.

But either way it's a big sting on already squeezed wallets - it was revealed this week that one in six families goes without essentials, such as food or heating, in order pay for school uniforms.

With most UK schools set to start again on September 2, we’ve rounded up the best ways to curb costs.

Bag an entire uniform from £4.50 from supermarkets

Kitting your kids out can often lead to a pricey trip to the shop.

Research from an Oxfam poll last year showed parents spent £6,543.36 over the full 12 years of education.

But you can find smart and comfortable school uniforms that don’t break the bank if you shop around.

We've rounded-up the full range of uniforms available at all the major UK supermarkets here.

Discounters Aldi and Lidl offer the cheapest full set on the market with an entire school uniform for as little as £4.50.

This includes a two-pack of polo shirts for £1.75, one sweatshirt costing £1 and either a pair of trousers or a skirt for £1.75.

Sadly, the majority of the Aldi range is sold out online, but it might be worth contacting your local store to see if it has any in stock.

Similarly, Lidl doesn’t have its school range online anymore either but you can check if it has any in store.

Nick Hill, money expert at the Money and Pensions Service (MAPS), recommends parents buying uniform a size larger than needed, so your children get extra wear out of it.

Supermarkets also sell school shoes from £2.25

Whether your child prefers lace up or velcro, school shoes don't need to cost an extortionate amount.

Our round-up of the best deals for shoes can be found here.

Smart school shoes at George by Asda, for example, start from £5 for boys' black strap shoes and girls' bow trim ballerina shoes.

While Tu at Sainsbury’s does a wide range of black unisex plimsolls for £2.25.

If you’re looking for a sale, Shoezone currently has 20 per cent off a wide range of shoes with prices starting from £2.99.

We've also put together a list of the best bags for going back to school, which start from £13.

Get stationary from 80p at Asda

Going back to school just isn't the same unless there's a brand new pencil case.

But those pens, pencils and rulers can soon add up in price.

Here we've rounded-up of the best value school supplies.

You can get cheap rubbers from as little as 80p at Asda, for example, while ring binders cost just £1.49 at B&M.