School Uniform - Help with costs for Families

Buying school uniform can be expensive, especially when a family has more than one child. If you are struggling to pay, support may be available to cover some or all of the costs, including for school-branded uniform.

Schools in England must follow legally binding Department for Education guidance: uniform costs must be reasonable and parents must get best value for money.

From September 2026, under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, no school can require more than 3 branded items of uniform and PE kit (4 for secondary and middle schools if one is a tie). “Branded” includes anything only available from a particular supplier, including bags and kit for school activities.

Schools must avoid single-supplier deals, allow high-street and supermarket alternatives, publish their uniform policy on their website, and make second-hand uniform freely available to all parents.

DfE research found parents can save almost £50 on average when they can buy uniform from any store rather than a designated shop.

Schools in England must follow legally binding Department for Education guidance: uniform costs must be reasonable and parents must get best value for money.

From September 2026, under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, no school can require more than 3 branded items of uniform and PE kit (4 for secondary and middle schools if one is a tie). “Branded” includes anything only available from a particular supplier, including bags and kit for school activities.

Schools must avoid single-supplier deals, allow high-street and supermarket alternatives, publish their uniform policy on their website, and make second-hand uniform freely available to all parents.

DfE research found parents can save almost £50 on average when they can buy uniform from any store rather than a designated shop.

There is no shame in not being able to afford brand-new uniform. Uniform exists so that all children are treated equally and not judged on their clothes; and second-hand uniform does exactly the same job as new. A growing number of families choose second-hand because it is cost-effective and good for the environment: an estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothing go to landfill in the UK every year.

If you’re looking to get help with your child’s uniform costs, here are a few handy step-by-step things to consider doing:

1. Contact your local council. Enter your postcode at www.gov.uk/help-school-clothing-costs to see whether your council offers a school uniform grant. Not all councils in England do – if yours doesn’t, go to the next step.
2. Are you based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? You may qualify for a clothing grant: www.mygov.scot/clothing-grants (Scotland), the Pupil Development Grant at www.gov.wales (Wales), or www.nidirect.gov.uk/school-uniform-grant (Northern Ireland).
3. Ask your child’s school directly. Some schools have funds for low-income families, let you pay in interest-free instalments (this must not cost more overall), or can lend second-hand uniform until you can buy your own.
4. Ask friends, family and community members. Many schools and communities run uniform donation or swap schemes – good-quality second-hand uniform is a sustainable, money-saving choice for any family.
5. Contact local charities. Some have discretionary funds to help with school uniform costs.