In the UK, schools are either funded by the government and free for students to attend, or they run independently and charge a fee each term. Regardless of whether you choose to send your child to a school funded by the government or a private school, there will always be costs to factor into your budgeting. Read on to gain a deeper understanding of the fees you can expect to pay when your youngsters start school and how you can limit these costs as much as possible!
Uniform
At the start of the year, you will have to stock up on school uniform supplies, which can be quite costly. In fact, most parents can expect to spend at least £100 on new uniform, school shoes and a PE kit. What’s more, as your child grows or loses items of their uniform, these costs may continue throughout the year. With that in mind, be sure to sew labels into everything so that if belongings do go missing, your child will have a chance of getting back to them.
School supplies
Your child will need a school bag, stationery and other supplies when they start school, and they’ll probably ask for it to be branded with their favourite singer or film star. It’s worth doing a little research before you hit the shops to figure out where you’ll find the cheapest ‘back to school’ offers. You should try and keep an eye out for seasonal sales and keep items to one side for next term. Pound stores are perfect for cheap stationery and you may find a decent preloved school bag in a charity shop.
School dinners or packed lunches
Usually, in schools funded by the UK government, children receive a free school meal every day until they reach the end of Year 2. However, this can potentially be extended for children whose families receive certain benefits. Be sure to check your local authority’s website to find out if your child is eligible.
Preparing packed lunches can sometimes work out cheaper than paying for school dinners so make sure you plan ahead and shop for food supplies ahead of time so that you can spread the costs throughout the week.