How to save money on school supplies
The new school year will soon be approaching, and with it comes the need for new school supplies. To help you get organised for the year ahead without breaking the bank, here are some top tips and local organisations to help with your back-to-school shopping list.
1. School uniform banks
School uniform banks offer free, new, and used uniforms, and other school essentials donated by local schools and members of the community. There’s usually no obligation to donate your child’s old school uniforms when you use these services, but donations are normally welcome if you’d like to. There are different school uniform banks across Essex, including the following.
Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service, Chelmsford
On Thursday 6 August from 10.30am-1pm, everyone is welcome to drop in to Youth Hall, Christ Church, New London Road, Chelmsford (CM2 0AW) to pick up free school uniform items. There will be free parking as well as free 'Stay and Play' activities. Find out more in this Facebook post.
Laindon School Uniform Bank, Basildon
Laindon School Uniform Bank is open on selected Saturday mornings between 10am-12pm at Manor Mission Church in Laindon, Basildon. The bank is available for anyone to use. Visit laindonschooluniformbank.co.uk to find out the upcoming dates for 2026.
Carousel Family Hub, Braintree
Drop in to the Carousel Family Hub (CM7 3QZ) on Friday 14 August from 10.30am-12.30pm to pick up pre-loved school uniform. Everyone is welcome.
Look out for other similar drop-in events near you. Find details of local school uniform events here, as well as other free family activities this summer.
Essex Free School Uniforms Project, Colchester
The Free School Uniforms Project is a Colchester-based organisation providing new and used school uniforms 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.
Canvey Island School Uniform Bank
This uniform bank holds uniform for all Canvey schools, and items are free to any parent or carer that needs it. It’s open every Thursday from 10am-2pm in the Community Suite of Castle View School (the extended section of Castle View School opposite Iceland). Find out more.
Tiptree community hub
The community hub at Unit 4, 20 Station Road (CO5 0AD) has pre-loved uniform available for all the primary and secondary schools in Tiptree. It's available for families to take during the Hub's opening hours, which you can find on the Tiptree Community Hub website. The centre also has a community fridge, where you can access up to 7kg of food for just £2.
More school uniform banks
Visit the following Facebook groups for more information about school uniform banks in other areas.
Harlow Community School Uniform Exchange
Uttlesford Children's Clothing Bank
2. Uniformly
Uniformly is an online school uniform marketplace where you can buy, sell, and give away second-hand uniforms.
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 too. Not only can you make a little money this way, but it also stops clothes from going to landfill and helps other parents.
3. Check if you’re eligible for a grant
Registered charitable organisations across the UK give grants to help people in need. Grants are one-off support payments that you don't have to pay back. The Turn2us Grants Search helps you find out which grants you can apply for.
Some local authorities may also offer grants. For example, Southend City Council has an Essential Living Fund Scheme that allows eligible parents of school children to claim a grant towards school uniforms. Find out more about the criteria.
4. Supermarkets
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 while stocks last.
Even without promotional offers, the supermarkets still tend to be significantly cheaper than specialist school uniform shops. Asda and Sainsbury’s for example, stock uniform essentials from £3.
Supermarkets are also great places to get stationery, lunchboxes, and other school supplies at a low cost.
5. Shop second-hand
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.
6. Laptops
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.
7. Plan ahead
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!
8. Share the school run
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 for the new school year. Neighbours take it in turns to drive each other’s kids to school, saving petrol costs, time, and helping the environment.
9. Label everything
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.