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It may feel like the summer holidays have just begun, but it’s never too early to start getting organised for the new school year ahead. On top of the new water bottles, pencil cases, school bags, and books, every parent knows just how quickly children grow – the constant need for new uniforms, school shoes, and PE kits can be a real struggle. If you could do with a helping hand this school year, here are some top tips and local organisations you can use to help you with your back-to-school shopping list.   

The Free School Uniforms project is a Colchester-based organisation providing new and used school uniform for free throughout the year. It focuses on Colchester, Harwich, and Clacton, but has also helped families in Chelmsford. To request items, fill out an application letting the team know what you need, and they’ll be in touch within three working days. 

The items available have been donated by school parents, Parent Teacher Associations, and businesses. Anything that can’t be reused is taken to recycling centres to make sure nothing goes to landfill.  

Laindon School Uniform Bank is open on alternate Saturday mornings between 10am-12pm at Manor Mission Church in Laindon, Basildon.   

It offers free, second-hand uniforms and other school essentials. All the items are donated by local schools and members of the community, and the bank is available for anyone to use.   

There’s no obligation to donate your child’s old school uniforms when you use the service, but donations are of course welcome if you’d like to.  

Visit laindonschooluniformbank.co.uk to find out the upcoming dates for 2025. 

Uniformly is an online school uniform marketplace where you can buy, sell, and give away second-hand uniform.   

Items are either free or very low cost, and you’ll only see items from your child’s school. This keeps everything local, so it’s nice and easy to make the trade. Simply use Uniformly to contact a seller about an item, and then arrange to meet them at pick-up or drop-off time. If applicable, you can pay them there and then with PayPal Friends or cash-in-hand.   

If you have old uniforms that your children have outgrown, you can sell them on Uniformly to other parents too. Not only can you make a little money this way, but it also helps to prevent perfectly good clothes from going to landfill– and helps other parents.  

On 5 August from 2-4pm, there will be a free school uniform event at Althorne Parish Hall in Maldon (CM3 6BY). Anyone is welcome to attend and help themselves to free, pre-loved school uniforms. There will also be free crafts and refreshments to enjoy.  

Christ Church in Chelmsford (CM2 0AW) will be hosting a similar event on 13 August, 10.30am-12.30pm. 

Look out for other similar events near you. Find details of local school uniform events here, as well as other free family activities this summer. 

Don’t forget to check supermarkets for offers too. Often, the summer holidays are the best time to buy school supplies, with some supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl offering full uniform sets for just £5 from July until stocks last.   

Even without promotional offers, the supermarkets still tend to be significantly cheaper than specialist school uniform shops. Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Tesco, for example, stock uniform essentials from as little as £3 to £5.   

Supermarkets are also great places to get stationery, lunchboxes, and other school supplies at a low cost. 

Pre-loved items are significantly cheaper, so consider buying some of the more expensive items on your list, such as school shoes, from sites like Vinted, eBay, or charity shops. 

You can shop big, trusted brands at lower prices at discount outlets, such as Braintree Village, where there’s a Clarks, for example.  

Outlet stores are cheaper because they stock items that they have too many of, have been discontinued, or might have minor defects.  

Spreading the cost is a good way to avoid big expenses all in one go. Make a list of all the things your child will need for the next school year now, and keep an eye out for these items throughout the year. 

There may also be big sales at other times of the year, especially after the rush in July and August. Make the most of these, even if you don’t need the items right away – just remember to size up! 

Petrol costs can add up quickly, and no one likes to be stuck in traffic first thing in the morning. Speak to other parents who live close to you to see if you can arrange car shares. Neighbours take it in turns to drive each other’s kids to school, saving petrol costs, time, and helping the environment. 

A lot of learning is now done online, and children often need access to a digital device at home. Many schools will offer support to families who need it – ask your child’s school what support they can offer.  

There are also free laptop schemes across the UK that offer support for students, people claiming Universal Credit, and those with disabilities. 

There are government grants available to people who receive certain benefits including Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit. Eligible families can get up to £200 to put toward the cost of their child's school uniform. MoneySavingExpert has more information on this. 

Now that your children are all kitted out for the new school year, make sure their names are on everything – that way, if it gets lost, it’ll be more likely to find its way back to you so you don’t have to buy it again.