The annual back-to-school shop can quickly become one of the biggest expenses of the year, but choosing the right products can help families save money in the long run.
While bargain buys can keep costs down, it's often worth paying a little more for school uniforms that last longer, shoes that fit properly and bags that can be used for more than one school year.
This year's best buys range from Aldi's £5 School Uniform Bundle for parents shopping on a tight budget to Marks & Spencer's hard-wearing uniforms, Clarks' £25 school shoes and three-for-less offer, and Hype's personalised matching backpack sets that look far more expensive than they cost. Sainsbury's Tu also stands out thanks to frozen prices, practical features and easy dressing for younger children.
We've compared the biggest back-to-school ranges to find the products offering the best value, durability and quality, helping you decide where it's worth spending more – and where you can save money without compromising on performance.
M&S – Best for school uniforms that last the longest
If durability is your top priority, Marks & Spencer remains the gold standard for parents who want school uniforms that can survive growth spurts, muddy playgrounds and endless trips through the washing machine.
The retailer says its latest Back to School range is designed to "work harder from the very first wear", with clever fabric technology that helps uniforms stay smarter for longer. While you may pay a little more upfront than at some supermarkets, many parents believe the longer lifespan makes M&S one of the best-value options over the course of the school year.
M&S has built its reputation on producing uniforms that keep their shape and appearance despite daily wear.
Key features include:
- StayNew technology to help colours stay brighter and reduce fading after repeated washing.
- Anti-stain fabric technology designed to repel everyday spills and marks.
- Easy-iron and non-iron finishes that help cut down on ironing.
- Anti-bobble fabrics that help knitwear stay looking newer for longer.
- Crease-resistant materials to keep uniforms looking smart throughout the school day.
- Adjustable waistbands for growing children.
- Grow-with-me hems that can be let down as children get taller.
Alongside its regular childrenswear, school uniform is one of the most popular M&S clothing limes.
See the full M&S uniform range here.
Best buys
M&S is particularly well known for:
- School shirts and blouses with easy-iron finishes.
- Hard-wearing trousers with adjustable waists.
- Pleated skirts that hold their shape.
- Long-lasting knitwear that resists bobbling.
- Durable school shoes built for everyday wear.
Children can grow quickly during the school year, but M&S has designed many of its uniforms to adapt alongside them. Adjustable waistbands and extendable hems mean clothes can often be worn for longer before needing to be replaced.
The combination of stain resistance, fade-resistant fabrics and hard-wearing construction also means uniforms stay looking presentable for months, even after frequent washing.
For busy families, easy-care fabrics and non-iron finishes are another bonus, helping to make hectic weekday mornings a little less stressful.
Best for: Long-lasting school uniforms that stay smart wash after wash.
Sainsbury's Tu – Best for comfortable, easy to wear school uniform
If you're looking for school uniform that balances affordability with practical features designed to survive the school year, Sainsbury's Tu is one of the strongest all-round options this year.
The supermarket has frozen prices on its core school uniform range for the fourth consecutive year, meaning many key items cost the same as they did in 2022.
School uniform prices start from just £3, with a complete uniform available from £7 per outfit when buying multipacks for children aged three to six.
Best buys
- 2-pack polo shirts – £3 (from £1.50 per polo)
- 2-pack sweatshirts – £4 (£2 each)
- 2-pack reinforced knee trousers – £7 (£3.50 per pair)
- 2-pack permanent pleat skirts – £7 (£3.50 each)
- School shoes – From a wide range of styles including loafers, Mary Janes and trainers, with more than 70% featuring scuff-resistant finishes
Why we like it
Tu uniforms are packed with practical features usually found on more expensive ranges. Reinforced knees help trousers withstand playground wear and tear, while permanent pleats keep skirts looking smart without constant ironing.
Parents will also appreciate non-iron shirts, stain-resistant fabrics and Tu's "Perfect White" polo shirts, which are designed to stay brighter for longer despite repeated washing.
The range has also been designed with growing children in mind. Many trousers include adjustable waistbands and extendable hems, helping uniforms last longer before needing to be replaced.
Best for younger children
One standout feature is Tu's Easy Dressing collection, which includes pull-on trousers and touch-and-close fastenings to help younger children become more independent when getting dressed for school.
Best for: Comfortable, hard-wearing school uniforms that offer excellent value for money and are built to last the entire school year.
Aldi – Best for super low prices
For parents trying to keep back-to-school costs to an absolute minimum, Aldi once again tops the class with its famous £5 School Uniform Bundle.
£5 School Uniform Bundle, including:
- 2-pack polo shirts – £1.75
- Sweatshirt or cardigan – £1.50
- Trousers, pleated skirt or cargo shorts – £1.75
Why parents love it
Aldi proves you don't have to spend a fortune to kit children out for school. The £5 bundle includes all the classroom essentials, with sizes available from 4 to 12 years.
Parents can choose between boys' and girls' polo shirts in white or blue, along with sweatshirts or cardigans and a choice of trousers, pleated skirts or cargo shorts.
The range is covered by Aldi's 12-month satisfaction guarantee, making it one of the few supermarket school uniforms backed in this way.
If price is your biggest priority, it's difficult to beat Aldi. The supermarket's famous £5 School Uniform Bundle remains one of the cheapest ways to get children classroom-ready.
Don't miss: New this year, parents can get a head start on the day with a selection of essential Back to School Hair Accessories (£1.99).
This treasure trove of accessories is perfect for keeping hair neat and tidy, with a variety of styles from practical headbands, clips and pretty bows to colourful ties and scrunchies in school-ready shades of blue, red, or green.
A word to the wise - local colourways will sell out (green always flew out at our local store because it was the colour of three nearby schools, but there would be loads of blue and red left) so try a trip further afield to snaffle a bundle in your kids' school colours.
Best fit for footwear: Clarks
Clarks' has launches its new Lumen Hero trainer, priced from £25 for both Kid (sizes 7-2) and Youth (sizes 3-8) ranges – its lowest-ever starting price for selected children's footwear. Available in black for school as well as other colours, the machine-washable trainers feature easy riptape fastenings, padded comfort and supportive soles.
There's also a new summer bundle deal, which lets shoppers buy two pairs of selected children's shoes and get a third pair half price. It's one of the retailer's strongest back-to-school offers, especially for families buying school shoes, PE trainers and weekend footwear in one shop.
Recent YouGov research named it the UK's favourite school shoe brand, with parents ranking it highest for fit, quality materials, size and width options, durability and overall trust.
If you're buying multiple pairs before the new school term, the three-for-less bundle offers the biggest potential saving, while the £25 Lumen Hero delivers the best value for everyday school wear.
Best for school bags and lunch bags: Hype
If you're looking to stretch your back-to-school budget, Hype's matching collections offer an easy way to create a coordinated school set without the designer price tag.
Starting from £30, the backpacks can be paired with matching lunch bags, pencil cases and water bottles, giving children a premium-looking bundle that feels far more expensive than buying mismatched essentials.
The standout buy is the new Charm Backpack, which comes with a starter charm pack and a customisable front pocket compatible with universal charms. It means children can personalise their school bag from day one and update the look over time without replacing the backpack.
Alongside the customisable range, shoppers can choose from on-trend patterns, including paw prints, checkerboard, florals and camouflage. Every backpack includes padded shoulder straps, roomy zipped compartments, an internal laptop sleeve and mesh bottle pocket, while selected styles also feature reflective detailing for darker journeys to and from school.
How to save more money on back to school buys
Websites such as Topcashback have deals where you can get money back on your buys, and often a sign up bonus if you aren't already a member. There are currently deals with Sainsbury's, Clark's and Hype - sign up using this link and then search for the retailers to see their current cashback offers.
The school uniform sizing mistakes costing parents money
Buying school uniform a little bigger to allow for growth can save money over the school year – but experts warn there's a limit.
Getting the sizing wrong could mean replacing expensive items sooner than expected, or leaving children with clothes that are uncomfortable and impractical.
Here's what to buy bigger – and what should fit properly from day one.
Where you can size up
- Jumpers and cardigans – One size bigger should still fit comfortably by winter and last until the end of the school year.
- Trousers and skirts – Go up one size if they have adjustable waistbands or hems that can be let down as your child grows.
- Shirts and polo shirts – A little extra room around the shoulders is fine, but sleeves shouldn't cover your child's hands.
- PE kit – Sportswear has a looser fit, so one size bigger usually works well.
- School coats – Buy one size up to allow for chunky jumpers underneath during the colder months.
Don't size up too much
- School shoes are the main item experts say should fit properly from the start.
- Shoes that are too big can affect how children walk and run. A thumb's width of space at the toe is generally enough room for growing feet.
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Four signs you've bought the wrong size
- Sleeves completely cover your child's hands.
- Trouser hems drag on the floor.
- Waistbands have to be tightened as far as they'll go.
- School shoes feel loose or awkward to walk in.
Make your school budget stretch further
With families spending an average of £315 a year on uniform and PE kit for a primary school child, rising to £442 for secondary pupils, buying the right size first time can help avoid costly replacements later in the year.
Experts also recommend investing in durable essentials such as backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles and pencil cases that can be reused across multiple school years, helping to reduce the cost of the annual back-to-school shop.
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