School uniform can be extremly costly for parents, but there is help available for those who may struggle.
If you’re on a low income, claiming benefits or your child receives free school meals, you could be eligible for up to £200 towards school uniform costs. These grants, which don’t need to be repaid, are offered by certain local councils, reports the Mirror.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, all councils provide school uniform grants, while only some do in England. This is because offering this support isn’t a statutory requirement in England, meaning councils aren’t obliged to provide it.
The specific eligibility criteria differ from council to council. The Schoolwear Association reports that the average cost of compulsory secondary school uniform and sportswear in England for 2024 is £92.35 per pupil.
Uniform grants explained
England
Last year, according to MoneySavingExpert.com, only 28 councils in England provided school uniform grants. The City of London council granted £160 in aid for secondary school pupils, while Sandwell Council offered £25 per secondary school student.
To find out who your local council is, simply enter your postcode on GOV.UK.
Scotland
All councils in Scotland offer school uniform grants worth at least £120 for primary school pupils, and £150 for those in secondary school. Certain councils offer more than the standard amount – for instance, Shetland Islands Council provides grants of £150 for early years children, £180 for primary school pupils and £225 for secondary school students.
Most councils accept applications from July until the end of March. Visit MyGov.scot for more information.
Wales
In Wales, all councils provide school uniform grants worth £125, or £200 if your child is transitioning to secondary school.
The 2025/26 scheme is currently open and will close on May 31, 2026. More information can be found on Gov.Wales.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, families can receive up to £93.60 towards school uniform costs if the child is in secondary school and is 15 years or older.
If they’re in secondary school but under the age of 15, the rate is £87.60. The grant is worth £42.90 for primary school pupils.
Applications must be submitted by July 25, 2025, via the Education Authority website.
Other support for school uniforms
If your local council doesn’t offer a school uniform grant, you might be eligible to claim help through its Household Support Fund. It’s also worthwhile discussing with your school what assistance they can provide.
Certain charities also offer grants to help cover the costs of school uniforms – although typically, you’ll need to be on a low income or claiming benefits. Turn2Us offers a free grants search tool so you can discover what help is available to you.
It might also be beneficial to look into local buy and sell Facebook groups where other parents are getting rid of school uniforms.
