Nicola Kelly
12th Aug 2024
7
minutes
As the summer holidays come to an end, many parents are facing the familiar mix of family fun, back-to-school chaos, and the rising costs that come with the season. With just weeks left until school starts, getting back into the routine should be a relief. However, for many families, the cost of school uniforms is a looming concern.
That’s why we’ve crafted MoneyMagpie’s comprehensive guide to finding cheap school uniforms—and even scoring some for free.
Read on to discover the best deals, or use the links below to jump to your preferred section.
The Big Shops
Supermarkets are still the place to find the cheapest school uniforms for the 2024 Autumn term and we’ve listed the best offers below. But, it’s also worth checking out the other clothing shops we’ve included, particularly the deals at Clarks and Matalan this year.
Aldi: Full School Uniform for £5
In stores only | While stocks last
Aldi is leading the way with a full school uniform for just £5, perfect for children aged 4-12. This incredible deal is part of Aldi’s ‘Specialbuys’ promotion, available in stores only, and it sells out quickly. We’ve checked in our local Aldi and you can still find some of these offers, but you will have to go into your local store to check.
What’s Included?
- Sweatshirt – £1.50
- 2x Polo shirts – £1.75
- Girl’s pleated skirt – £1.75
- Boy’s trousers – £1.75
- Boy’s cargo shorts – £1.75
Prices are consistent across all sizes, and Aldi includes a 12-month guarantee on its uniforms. Find your nearest store and act fast—this cheap uniform deal is a yearly favourite!
Lidl: School Uniform for £5
In stores only | While stocks last
Lidl is matching Aldi with its own full school uniform for £5, also catering to ages 4-12. Available in stores only, this deal tends to sell out quickly.
What’s Included?
- Sweatshirt – £1.50
- 2x Polo shirts – £1.75
- Girl’s pleated skirt – £1.75
- Boy’s trousers – £1.75
With prices fixed regardless of size, head to your local Lidl store to snag this cheap uniform offer.
George at Asda: Uniform Items from £3
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Asda offers cheap uniform items starting from just £3 for children aged 3-18, available both online and in stores and we even spotted a school skirt in the sale section for £1.50, so do check it out.
What’s Available?
- 2x Polo shirts – £3-£6
- 2x Sweatshirts – £5-£9
- 2x Skirts – £8-£14
- 2x Trousers – £8-£14
Prices vary by size, and stock for the cheapest items is running low. Standard delivery is £3.50, with free click and collect. Visit your nearest store to explore the full range of cheap uniforms.
Tesco: F&F Uniform Items from £4
In stores only | Ongoing
Tesco’s F&F range offers cheap uniform items starting from £4, available in stores only.
What’s Available?
- 3x Polo Shirts – from £4
- 2x Sweatshirts – from £5
- 2x Trousers – from £7
- 2x Skirts – from £7
Prices vary by size. Visit your local Tesco to check stock levels and find cheap uniforms for your kids.
Sainsbury’s: Tu Uniform Items from £3.50
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Sainsbury’s offers Tu school uniform items starting at £3.50 for children aged 2-16, making it easy to find cheap uniforms. Plus, sign up for the Tu at Sainsbury’s newsletter and save 10% off your first order.
What’s Available?
- 2x Polo Shirts – £3-£6
- Skirt – £5-£7
- 2x Trousers – £7-£11
- 2x Sweatshirts – £7-£11
Prices vary by size, and some sizes may be sold out online. Check in-store availability. Delivery is £3.95, and click and collect is free on orders over £15.
H&M: Uniform Items from £4.99
Online and in stores | Ongoing
H&M offers stylish yet cheap uniform items starting from £4.99, available for children aged 2-14.
What’s Available?
- Jersey School Skirt – £4.99 (new lower price for 2024)
- Knit Jumper – £5.99
- Boys’ Trousers – £7.99
- Two-Pack Polo Shirts – £9.99
Prices are consistent across sizes. Standard delivery is £3.99, but H&M members enjoy free delivery on orders over £20 and free in-store pickup.
Matalan: Uniform Items from £4
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Matalan offers budget-friendly school uniform items starting from £4 for children aged 3-16 and there’s currently a sale section where you can find a few items for bargain prices such as 2 x blue polo shirts reduced from £4 to £2.
What’s Available?
- 2x Polo Shirts – £4-£7
- 2x Sweatshirts – £7-£11
- 2x Skirts – £7-£11
- 2x Trousers – £11-£15
The cheapest items are in low stock. Standard delivery is £3.95, with free click and collect available.
Peacocks: Uniform from £4 and discounts on polo shirts
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Peacocks is often overlooked as a shopping destination but currently, the school uniform range is definitely worth checking out. School uniforms start at £4 for children aged 4-16 and you can filter by school year as well.
- 2x Polo Shirts – £4.80 – £6.40 (look out for discounted sale items, as some packs are reduced from £6 to £4.80)
- Skirts – The standard delivery fee is £3.99, but if you sign up for the Peacocks newsletter, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your first online order.
Clarks: School shoes discount and free replacement shoes offer!
School take-back schemes: Many schools offer take-back schemes, allowing parents to donate old school uniforms at the end of the year. These uniforms are then sold at a reduced price to others. Check if your local school has a similar scheme. If not, consider starting one with other parents.
Donate at Wacky Warehouse: The leading soft play, party venue, and activity center has relaunched its school uniform donation scheme for a second year in partnership with B&M. Parents can donate unused or pre-loved school uniforms at their local Wacky Warehouse until 2 Sep. These donations will be distributed via local charities. Additionally, parents who donate can enter the B&M competition for a chance to win a £1,000 gift voucher for their school.
Location-based recycling schemes: Check your local authority website for information on local recycling schemes. In London, there are options to donate old uniforms.
Secondhand Savings
If you’re looking to save money on school uniforms, consider exploring secondhand options. Here are some places where you can find affordable, gently used uniforms:
Charity Shops: Visit high street charity shops for seasonal displays featuring school uniforms. Ask staff for specific items as they may have hidden stock.
Auction sites: Browse online auction sites like eBay for gently used uniforms at great prices. You can also check out Vinted for affordable listings.
Facebook: Check local listings and school-specific uniform groups on Facebook Marketplace. Parents often swap uniforms, providing an opportunity to get items for free.
School PTA Sales: Many schools have uniform exchange programs or sales through Parent Teacher Associations. These programs offer items at low or no cost.
Websites
Explore websites dedicated to selling, swapping, and buying school uniforms for extra savings and free options:
- Uniformerly.co.uk: An award-winning online marketplace for school uniforms where parents and PTAs can buy, sell, give away, and recycle outgrown uniforms.
- Oldschooluniform.co.uk: Founded by concerned parents, this platform allows you to sell, buy, or donate school uniforms. You can buy items by school name at reduced prices or for free. Additionally, you can donate old uniforms directly to your chosen school.
Grants
If you’re facing financial difficulties, check if you qualify for government or local authority grants.
- Government Grants: Parents in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may be eligible for a uniform grant of up to £200. Visit Gov.uk for eligibility details.
- School Trust Funds: Some schools or trusts offer assistance programs. Contact individual schools directly to inquire about available support.
Explore our comprehensive guide to school uniform grants 2024 here
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