Back to School: How to Save on Uniform Costs
BBC News reports on easing the financial burden of back-to-school costs, specifically focusing on uniform expenses.
By Jemma Crew, Business Reporter
Published 5 hours ago
Back-to-school season often evokes a mix of emotions for parents, with anxiety about additional costs being prominent among them. Almost half of parents expressed concern regarding the cost of school uniforms, according to research by Save the Children and the Baby Bank Alliance network. A third of parents surveyed had even compromised their own needs to afford essentials like uniforms, bags, or books.
New Regulations:
New rules limiting the number of branded items per child to three come into effect in September, aiming to alleviate financial strain.
Solutions for Parents:
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Save the Children’s Advice: They acknowledge the new uniform rules as a "good start" but emphasize ongoing concerns among families across various income levels. They suggest speaking with teachers and exploring options like second-hand uniforms, school swap shops, and hardship funds.
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School Uniform Resources: Many schools have established uniform hubs, swap shops, and sales preceding term starts. London’s School Uniform Reuse Network offers practical guidance to schools for implementing successful swap shop programs. During its inaugural term, it facilitated the reuse of over 1,500 items across 24 schools.
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Baby Banks: While parents with older children might overlook baby banks’ assistance, these organizations often provide uniforms for children up to and through secondary school. The Baby Bank Alliance’s latest survey revealed that school uniform is now a top priority for members.
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Supermarkets and Pre-Loved Items: The relaxed rules on uniform branding encourage purchases from supermarkets and charity shops. Save the Children recommends pre-loved items, usually of better quality than inexpensive new ones, and suggests bulk buying with friends to save money.
According to Nationwide bank research, a third of parents buy uniforms at supermarkets, a third shop around for deals, and 23% purchase large quantities to reduce costs.
