9 ways to save on school uniform

School might not even have finished for summer, but winter uniform ranges are already hitting the shops - and it can pay to stock up early.

School uniform can be very expensive - in fact, according to The Children's Society, the cost of uniform for a primary aged child was £287 last year, and £422 for those of secondary age (although other research suggests less). 

Either way, it's a significant amount. But the good news is there are ways to save. Read on for our expert tips on saving money on uniform.  

1. Stock up early at the supermarket

Aldi and Lidl's £5 uniform bundles - which include two polo shirts, one sweatshirt (or cardigan in the case of Aldi) and a choice of trousers, skirt or shorts - are available in stores from 4 July and tend to sell out very quickly.

But if you miss the boat, other supermarkets generally offer good prices on school uniform too. When we investigated the cost of school uniforms last year, we found supermarkets were cheaper for a basket of popular primary school uniforms than high-street retailers such as John Lewis, M&S, Matalan and Next. 

Supermarkets are also often pretty competitive with each other on the cost of school uniform essentials.

Of course, super-cheap products can sometimes be a false economy, so it's worth checking items' quality and making a decision based on your needs and budget.

• Find out more: best and worst clothes shops

2. Look out for sales

Some shops selling school uniform have regular sales with deep discounts - so watch out for these as they can save you up to 25% off your shop. 

Marks & Spencer has announced it will be offering 20% off school uniform for a limited time from Tuesday 2 July.

Tesco regularly offers 25% off clothing if you have Clubcard, and a the high-street stores sometimes launch sales on their school uniform ranges during the summer holidays.

• Find out more: how to get the best price when shopping online

3. Use outlet stores

This works particularly well for children's school shoes, which can be really pricey. 

There are a number of Clarks outlet stores across the country, boasting savings up to 30% off the recommended retail price as standard and up to 70% off in some cases. 

A quick spot check by Which? showed a pair of girls' black patent school shoes reduced from £40 to £28. 

And don't worry if you don't have an outlet store near you - you can always order online (although you would need to be confident measuring and fitting your child yourself).

• Find out more: how to save money on school shoes

4. Buy second hand 

Buying second-hand uniform is a great way to save cash. The savings are often even greater on branded items or those with a school logo. 

Most school PTAs sell preloved uniform, often at school open days or summer fairs. You can also look on Facebook selling pages, eBay, or charity shops.

Uniform swap shops, offering uniform free of charge, are also available in some areas - so ask your school whether there's one near you.

• Find out more: best places to shop second-hand online

5. Avoid logos

Often, items of clothing with a school logo are more expensive than those without one. 

Check your school's uniform policy carefully and only buy badged items where absolutely necessary.

6. Look for grants

If you can't afford to buy your child's school uniform, contact the headteacher to ask what support is available. 

There may also be help available from local authorities. If you live in England, contact your local council to see if there is support in your area. There are separate schemes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Also, some members of the Schoolwear Association offer interest-free payment plans so you can stagger the costs.

7. Make it last

You'll spend less money overall if you make the uniform last longer, so buy items with plenty of growing room if you can.

Some shops also sell clothing with extendable hems to offer more growing room, which could offer a saving in the long term.

Also be sure to attach good-quality name tags to everything your child owns - with the best will in the world, children leave items of clothing all over the place but if they're named they're more likely to find their way back.

8. Share costs with friends

Team up with other parents to buy in bulk.

Not only will you save on delivery costs, but some uniform is sold in multipacks which might work out cheaper than buying individual items - so you could buy a multipack and share out the items if you don't need them all.

9. Buy throughout the year

Parents often tend to buy new uniform in the summer ready for September, which can make sense (see tip 1). But unless your children are starting a new school or have grown out of their previous uniform, you don't need to follow this trend.

It's quite likely that if their old uniform fits them at the end of July, it'll still be useable by the beginning of September. 

And if you're looking for accessories such as lunch boxes, school bags, stationery equipment and water bottles, there are often big out-of-season discounts to be had once schools go back in September.

• Find out more: the best kids' water bottles in our tests