Parents set to spend £108.59 per child on back-to-school essentials

Illustrated school items with a blackboard and the text 'back to school, are you ready?'

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 4 August 2025

More than four (44%) in 10 parents of children of school age splurge the most on shoes, while 16% shell out more on blazers and 11% splash the cash the most on stationery.

In a sign of savvy shopping habits, the survey also revealed that 42% of parents now opt for second-hand clothes to help ease the financial burden.

A further 38% of parents admit they have bought plain clothing and attach the school logo separately, saving an impressive £44.43 on average over the course of the year.

“The cost of school uniforms and supplies can add significant pressure to household budgets, especially during the summer holidays. It’s encouraging to see parents using creative and cost-effective methods like buying second-hand or personalising plain uniforms to save money. With a bit of planning, there are real opportunities to cut costs without compromising on quality. Here’s my top 5 money-saving tips for back-to-school shopping"
Sarah-Jane Outten

Host or Join Uniform Swaps – Team up with other parents to trade gently-used uniforms and save money for everyone involved.
Buy Second-Hand – Platforms like Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, and local uniform exchanges can be goldmines for high-quality pre-loved uniform items.
Buy Plain, Add Logos – Purchase plain supermarket clothing and attach school logos yourself. Many parents report saving over £40 per child with this method.
Shop Out of Peak Season – Start early to beat price hikes and low stock in August. Consider shopping during sales earlier in the year.
Use Discount Voucher Sites – Always check sites like MyVoucherCodes for the latest deals and promo codes on school wear and supplies before making a purchase.

Disclaimer

Notes to Editor:
This online survey of 1,000 Parents of school-aged children who purchase school clothes was commissioned by Front Door Comms on behalf of MyVoucherCodes and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between [26/06/2025] and [01/07/2025]. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council.

Hi, I’m SJ. I’m the Beauty Editor and PR Executive here at MyVoucherCodes. As a qualified make-up artist, I've been able to share my knowledge on all things beauty and skincare with our readers so they not only look good and feel great, but save money. As a mum of three, I understand the challenges that families face, and making budgets go further is something I feel passionately about. My research and recommendations help families of all sizes shop better allowing them to enjoy the little luxuries in life. My work has been featured in many publications including The Sun, The Mirror, Netmums, and The Telegraph.

Outside of MyVoucherCodes, I'm a writer and interviewer for pop culture magazines like Buzz Magazine. I've chatted to celebrities such as Strictly's Johannes Redebe and poet Kae Tempest. It's certainly one of the best parts of my job. Over the years I've built a portfolio of work that shows the diversity of my writing, which gives me a breadth of knowledge and experience that I apply to my work every day.