School uniform costs hit families, say charities

A boy raises his hand in a classroom setting. He wears a school uniform and computer equipment is visible in the background. He is surrounded by other children also raising their hands.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

The government has announced new rules on the number of uniform items with school logos that students are required to wear

ByJosh McLaughlinSouth East

Published13 minutes ago

Charities in Sussex have warned new school uniform costs could add financial pressure on struggling families.

This is despite new rules limiting the number of branded items state schools can require, which the government says will save parents money.

Children's charity Pelican Parcels, in Brighton and Hove, said it was set to double its school uniform support by the end of 2026 in response to "rising local demand".

"Every child deserves to start the school year feeling confident, with school uniform and shoes that fit properly," said head of operations Elaine Bailey. "For many families, the cost of uniform can be overwhelming."

Volunteers at Pelican Parcels check shelved cardboard boxes of school supplies for school children in need.

Image source, Pelican ParcelsImage caption,

Pelican Parcels said it gave more than 3,400 items to school children in 2025

The charity, which provides school uniforms, PE kits and supplies, said it gave more than 3,400 items to 520 children across 12 schools last year.

It is seeking donations of good-quality, unbranded uniform items, including polo shirts, pinafores and PE shorts.

Elsewhere, Horsham Matters, a charity in West Sussex, estimates that every school year, parents spend £336 on kitting out children for primary school, rising to £439 for secondary school.

Its chief executive Kelvin Glen said: "Nobody wants to send their child into a new classroom without everything they need to learn effectively.

"There is copious evidence that poverty during school years has a lasting impact on children's educational attainment and life chances."

What do parents think about the new rules?

The government policy, which came into effect from 1 September, restricts mandatory uniform items with school logos to three for primary schools and four for secondary schools, with the latter including ties.

Charlie Milner-Smith, in Worthing, said he had seen school items become more expensive with his son moving up a year at school.

"School shoes are definitely a lot more than they have been and kids grow out of them quickly – it's not just a one-off purchase," he said.

He sees the new rules as a good thing: "It stops you having to keep up with trends and makes sure your kids can just wear more generic things."

Charlie Milner-Smith (left) and Steph Savage (right) both smile for a photograph. Their two separate headshots have been edited together with a white margin resting between them. They are both facing towards the sun, Charlie in front of an open green space and Steph in front of a shelter on Worthing seafront.

Image source, Josh McLaughlin/BBCImage caption,

Charlie Milner-Smith (left) and Steph Savage (right) can see the new rules reducing their costs

Steph Savage, from Surrey, can see the new rules helping with costs for her two children.

She told the BBC she had just made an order, and despite already owning some uniform, spent £250. This did not include branded items.

"It's quite a lot to ask from parents to buy all the uniform and school-specific stuff as well – that all adds up," Savage said.

Meanwhile, Lucy Smith, mother of two, said her children's school had been "quite easy-going".

"If our kids walked in without any branded uniform there'd be no questions asked anyway, so it's not made much of a difference to our family," she added.

In a statement from the Department for Education, a spokesperson said limiting branded items would give families breathing space and save some parents up to £50 per child.

It said it was supporting schools with new guidance to take steps to bring down costs for individual items, while "keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking families".

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