Hey readers,
Even though it is the start of the summer holiday, you might already think about buying the next academic year's uniform.
As let's face it, school uniform is not a cheap purchase, and if you cater for the fact that you have more than one child, it might be best to plan earlier rather than later to save money and less stress.
1. Buy second-hand.
Check if your school or PTA (Parent Teacher Association) has a second-hand selling group where you can pick up some pre-loved items.
If this doesn't exist at your child's school, see if you can set one up on social media and invite other parents to join.
Alternatively, you could check out these social media sites and apps to buy uniforms and sell any old items:
Facebook Marketplace: You can search for items and pick them up for free if the seller's local.
Facebook groups: Local community groups can help you connect with families in your neighbourhood and search for second-hand uniforms.
Freecycle: This app allows people to gift or lend unwanted items to people living nearby.
Olio: Like Freecycle, this app allows people to give away items they don't want to those in the local neighbourhood.
Vinted: There are over 500 results for school uniforms on the app, and you can filter it only to show the sizes you need.
eBay: You can search for specific items and bid for them, which means you could get a great deal.
2. Audit the Old.
If you just shoved last year's uniform into a cupboard at the end of term, get it out and look at what you already have that might last a few more weeks.
If your child wears summer dresses or shorts, it's worth holding out on buying warmer clothes until the weather turns, as they may already be too small for them by the time they need them.
Wash and then lay everything out and persuade the kids to have a quick trying-on session before you make a list of the essentials you do need to buy.
3. Beware of multipacks.
But beware: multipacks are not always the most economical option. While a pack of four or five polo shirts might be good value, you may not need multiple skirts or trousers (knee slide dependent).
Working out the price per item and how much wear it will get could help cut unnecessary costs.
That said, finding fellow parents in the market for new school wear and splitting the price of a multipack could also be a canny way of saving money.
4. Check for grants.
Some parents will be eligible for a school uniform grant worth £200, depending on their income and where they live.
The grants are typically available for people receiving benefits such as Universal Credit and child tax credit.
You may also be eligible if your child receives free school meals.
Not every council in England offers this, but you can check what’s on offer via the government website. Grant schemes also differ across the UK.
5. Buddy up.
Alternatively, if you spot an excellent multipack offer and you don't need all of the items, parents could buddy up with a fellow parent and split the costs.
Buddying up with families with children of different ages is also a great way to pass around clothes when they're outgrown.
6. Only buy what you need.
Before buying a variety of new items for your kids, consider whether they are necessary because, trust me, you bet every school year there is a new trend meaning new backpacks, new pencil cases etc.
But don’t fall into the trap of buying things just because your kids want them. It’s also important not to fall for the expensive fad school accessories, which are trendy at the time but won’t be in a few months.
Stick to buying things that last and won’t go out of ‘fashion’.”
To give you a helping hand, KiddyCharts has this printable back-to-school checklist for parents to use. Check it out here.
7. Size up.
As most children experience growth spurts during puberty, you may feel you have wasted your money on a uniform that will soon be too small.
I recommend sizing up one or two sizes on blazers and trousers.
Children get away with a little oversized blazer, especially when a shirt and jumper are layered underneath.
Long trousers can also be taken up to fit your child, and the hem can later be let down as they grow.
Some supermarkets have designed ranges with this in mind.
Marks & Spencer sells trousers with a “grow-proof hem”, which are made with extra length. The hem can quickly be taken down by unpicking it and pressing it with an iron.
8. Shop around.
Shop around; the government have introduced legally binding guidance which requires schools to make uniforms affordable for all.
This means you shouldn’t have to stump up extra cash or be limited to certain stores for items, and schools must remove unnecessary branded items.
Most supermarkets stock polo shirts, trousers, skirts and sweatshirts, often sold in multipacks – and snapshot Which? Analysis this month found them to be modestly priced.
For a primary school pupil aged eight to nine, I found a pack of polo shirts from George by Asda for £3.50, while a group of two black trousers from the Morrisons Nutmeg range cost £9.
Cheers for reading X
