PARENTS will spend more than £1,400 kitting out their child with back-to-school essentials over the school years.
A study of 1,200 parents of school-aged children found £120 is the norm to spend at the start of each school year – on the likes of new shoes, pencil cases, and lunchboxes.
Over the 12 years from Reception to Year 11, this totals £1,440.
Of parents surveyed, 73 per cent said they worry about the cost of the back-to-school shop, and half have even had to cut back on other spends such as food for themselves to afford it.
The research was commissioned by Aldi as it launches a new Back-to-School Fund to support families with the increased costs at the beginning of term.
Liz Fox, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: “We know the back-to-school period can be a real pinch point for family finances, especially after having to contend with keeping the kids entertained during the summer school holidays.
“We’re committed to doing whatever we can to support parents in making their money go further.
“That’s why we’re giving families an extra helping hand via our initiative this September.”
The research also found the average school child will go through 70 polo tops, and 60 pairs of trousers during their younger education years.
While 70 per cent of parents always buy clothes in bigger sizes so they last their child longer, 63 per cent say they pass items down to their younger children.
Nearly half (47 per cent) find August the most financially difficult month when it comes to school shopping, and 75 per cent claim secondary school is the most expensive in terms of buying essentials.
Besides uniform, a quarter find textbooks or additional learning materials to be among the most expensive things to buy.
While 20 per cent feel bags and lunchboxes can also add up.
It also emerged parents will spend on average just over £100 a month throughout the school year on packed lunches.
To keep costs down, 58 per cent shop at discount supermarkets, and 33 per cent make the same thing every day.
According to the OnePoll.com data, 62 per cent admit what they give their child for lunch should be healthier than it currently is.
With sandwiches (66 per cent), crisps (52 per cent) and fruit (61 per cent) among the most common lunchbox items.
Commenting on the fund, which is open until September 30th 2024 and can be applied for by emailing AldiBTSFund@citypress.co.uk, Liz Fox added: “Throughout September, we’re giving parents the chance to apply for vouchers worth £100 to help cover the cost of things like packed lunches, and other essentials they’ll need to stock up on throughout the school year.
“We’re also donating £20,000 to good causes focused on supporting children.
“This includes schools and nurseries through our community giving platform, Neighbourly, to help provide essentials to families that need it most.”
SEVERAL major supermarkets and retailers are set to launch their sell-out uniform deals.
Prices for the bundles and offers start at just £5
Among the chains offering bargain deals on kids’ uniforms are Aldi, Marks and Spencer, and Tesco.
Asda
Asda’s George range offers the following key pieces:
Boys Uniform
Girls Uniform
Peacocks
Discount fashion retailer Peacocks is offering its cheap uniform range in all stores with 20% off from July 28.
Its kids’ uniform goes from age 2-3 up to age 14-15 years, which is a new age range for this year.
Among its key items are:
M&S
M&S has held prices on its school uniform since 2021 and has confirmed the return of its popular 20% off school uniform early bird offer from July 2.
You can get the discount by shopping online or in stores where uniform is stocked.
Some examples of its range include:
Tesco
Tesco is bringing back its 25% off uniform deal again this year, the sale starts on July 23.
It doesn’t tend to run for a long time, so it might be a good idea to stock up while you can.
You need to ensure you have your Tesco Clubcard or app when you get to the till so the discount is applied.
Tesco is yet to reveal the exact items available in the offer.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s says it has maintained its 2022 prices on its school uniform.
It is said to be introducing its 25% off sale on June 19.
Last year you could pick up two packs of polo shirts starting from £3, trousers from £4 and two packs of gingham dresses from £10 both online and in stores.
