Back To School: How To Cut The Costs

Are you a parent struggling to make ends meet? We investigate how you can get your kids back to school -- for less.

My parents were always good at planning ahead. On my first day at `big' school, I arrived in a puffa coat that reached the floor.

I looked like the Michelin Man in miniature (and the hood completely covered my face) but it was definitely a sound investment. They never had to buy me another school coat, and I'm pretty sure that one would still fit me today.

Expensive kit

As most parents are all too well aware, school uniform can cost a bomb. If you have children starting school this month, you may be about to shell out for a whole new kit.

And even if they're already at school, the chances are ankles will be protruding from trouser legs before too long.

Uniform costs have become a contentious issue in recent years. Last October, the government published new guidance for schools on the need to formulate `fair, reasonable and cost-effective' school uniform policies.

However, that didn't spell the end for overpriced school gear. If you shop at a specialist `school supply' shop, a full school uniform (not including shoes) could easily still set you back £150 or even more.

The uniform price war

The good news is, several high street giants have stepped into the breach. To cater for parents hit by the credit crunch (and muscle in on market share), supermarkets have launched their own budget school clothing ranges - and a price war is now underway.

A recent study by consumer champions Which? compared the school clothing on sale at Asda, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury's.

And thankfully, it seems that these products are a good value option. The researchers found that generally, the clothes they tested were durable, hard-wearing and colour-fast as well as affordable. Hoorah!

The £5.70 school uniform

I've put together some tables looking at four school uniform `basics' - so you can decide how to spend your money.

Jumpers

Retailer	Price per age group	Material	Colours available
Asda	£3 3-6 £4 6-10 £5 11-16	100% cotton	Red, grey, cobalt, black, green, navy
Marks & Spencer	£2 3-6 £3 7-10 £5 11-14 £8 15-16	100% cotton	Red, grey, navy, black
Tesco	Price varies for colour as well as age: £3 3-5, £4 5-8, £5 9-12 and 12-16, £6 12-16 and 3-12, £7 12-16	100% acrylic	Navy, red, grey, green black
Sainsbury's	£4 3-7 £5 8-10 £6 11-12	100% cotton	Navy, grey

Shirts

Retailer	Price per age group	Material	Colours available
Asda	£0.95 3-12	65% polyester, 35% cotton	White
Marks & Spencer	3 pack: £5 3-6 £7 7-10 £9 11-16	65% polyester, 35% cotton	White, pale blue, grey
Tesco	3 pack: £3.75 3-6 £4.50 6-10 £6 10-16	65% polyester, 35% cotton	White
Sainsbury's	3 pack: £4 3-7 £5.50 8-10 £7 11-12	65% polyester, 35% cotton	White

Trousers

Retailer	Price per age group	Material	Colours available
Asda	£1.75 3-12	100% polyester	Grey
Marks & Spencer	£3.50 3-6 £4.50 7-10 £6.50 11-14 £9.50 15-16	65% polyester, 35% viscose	Grey, black
Tesco	2 pack: £5 3-5 £7 5-8 £8 8-12 £9 12-16	65% polyester, 35% viscose	Black, grey, dark grey, navy
Sainsbury's	£3.50 3-7 £4.50 8-10 £5.50 11-12	65% polyester, 35% viscose	Black, grey, charcoal, navy

Skirts

Retailer	Price per age group	Material	Colours available
Asda	£1.75 3-12	100% polyester	Grey
Marks & Spencer	£3.50 3-6 £4.50 7-10 £6.50 11-14 £9.50 15-16	100% polyester	Navy, grey, black
Tesco	2 pack: £4 3-5 £6 5-8 £8 8-12 £9 12-16	65% polyester, 35% viscose	Navy, grey
Sainsbury's	£4 3-7 £5 8-10 £6 11-12	65% polyester, 35% viscose	Navy, grey, black

Data provided by Which?

As you can see, no one store has totally cornered the market when it comes to value.

And there are a number of other factors to take into account. Some retailers stock a greater colour range than others, and some charge a flat price for items while others tier their prices steeply according to age.

However, if you shop around, it is possible to get the basics for a ten year-old boy or girl (shirt, jumper and trousers or skirt) for £5.70. Not bad, eh?

Other options

Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to buy this sort of generic school gear. Many schools still insist that parents buy uniform, complete with school logos, from specific shops.

But you can still save money by buying the bare minimum from these places. A blazer might be emblazoned with a school crest, but shirts, trousers and skirts probably aren't - so see if you can still get these items elsewhere.

If you're happy to buy school uniform second-hand, you can save a fortune.

Find out whether your children's school holds second-hand uniform sales. Children grow so quickly that some of the items on sale will be in `nearly-new' condition, having barely been worn. And they'll also be specific to the school, which is good if it's fussy that way.

Finally, have a look at the Patched Elephant community website. It's a great place to buy and sell second-hand uniform, as well as sports equipment, musical instruments, books and lots of other school gear.

Good luck!

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