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MoneyMagpie’s guide to getting a cheap or free school uniform
Nicola Kelly
18th Aug 2025
As the summer holidays come to an end, many parents are facing the familiar mix of family fun, back-to-school chaos, and the rising costs that come with the season. With just weeks left until school starts, getting back into the routine should be a relief. However, for many families, the cost of school uniforms is a looming concern.
That’s why we’ve crafted MoneyMagpie’s comprehensive guide to finding cheap school uniforms—and even scoring some for free.
Read on to discover the best deals, or use the links below to jump to your preferred section.
- Save money at the big shops
- Discover uniform recycle
- Buy from charity shops
- Websites that can help
- Grants towards uniform costs
- Do your bit for charity
The Big Shops
Supermarkets are still the place to find the cheapest school uniforms for the 2025 Autumn term and we’ve listed the best offers below. But, it’s also worth checking out the other clothing shops we’ve included, particularly the deals at Clarks and Matalan this year.
Sainsbury’s Locked Prices: Same for Three Years
Sainsbury’s has kept its school uniform prices the same for three years (and in fact many are lower), meaning you can bag a bargain despite rising costs elsewhere.
Top picks include:
- White Unisex Perfect White Polo Shirt 2 Pack from £3
- Red Unisex Crew Neck Jumpers 2 Pack from £4
- Girls Cardigans 2 Pack from £5
- Grey Skinny Fit Extendable Hem Trousers 2 Pack from £7
- Grey V-Neck Pleated Front Pinafore Was From £6, Now from £3 in the sale
- White Polo Top 2 Pack from £3
- Grey Permanent Pleat Skirt 2 Pack from £7
- Navy Unisex Joggers 2 Pack from £5
Prices vary by size, and some sizes may be sold out online. Check in-store availability. Delivery is £3.95, and click and collect is free on orders over £15. If you’ve never ordered from Sainsbury’s before, make sure you sign up to claim 10% off your first order, too.
Lidl: School Uniform for £5
In stores only | While stocks last
Lidl shops may still have stock of their school uniform, starts from just £1.50.
Example Items
- School Skirt – £1.75
- Trousers – £1.75
- 2x Polo shirts – £1.75
- School Sweatshirt – £1.50
- 2x School Shirts – £2.49
- Leather School Shoes – £9.99
- PE Plimsolls – £2.99
With prices fixed regardless of size, head to your local Lidl store to snag this cheap uniform offer.
George at Asda: Uniform Items from £3
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Asda offers cheap uniform items starting from just £2 for children aged 3-18, available both online and in stores and we even spotted a school skirt in the sale section for £2, so do check it out.
What’s Available?
- 2x Polo shirts – from £3
- 2x Sweatshirts – from £5
- 2x Grey Pleated Skirts – from £12
- 2x Grey Trousers – from £7
- Showerproof Over Trousers – from £4
Prices vary by size, and stock for the cheapest items is running low. Standard delivery is £3.75, with free click and collect. Visit your nearest store to explore the full range of cheap uniforms.
Tesco: F&F Uniform Items from £4
In stores only | Ongoing
Tesco’s F&F range offers cheap uniform items starting from £4, available in stores only.
What’s Available?
- 2x Polo Shirts – from £3
- 2x Sweatshirts – from £4
- 2x Trousers – from £6
- 2x Skirts – from £6
Prices vary by size. Visit your local Tesco to check stock levels and find cheap uniforms for your kids.
H&M: Uniform Items from £4.99
Online and in stores | Ongoing
H&M offers stylish yet cheap uniform items starting from £4.99, available for children aged 2-14.
What’s Available?
- Cotton T-shirt – £2.99
- Knit Jumper – £5.99
- Boys’ Trousers – £7.99
- Long-sleeves Shirt – £7.99
- Two-Pack Polo Shirts – £9.99
Prices are consistent across sizes. Standard delivery is £5.99, but H&M members enjoy free delivery on orders over £40 and any customer can opt for free in-store pickup.
Matalan: Uniform Items from £4
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Matalan offers budget-friendly school uniform items starting from £4 for children aged 3-16 and there’s currently a £5 and Under section.
What’s Available?
- 2x Polo Shirts – £4-£6
- 2x Sweatshirts – £7-£11
- 2x Black Jersey School Skirts – £7-£13
- School Trousers – £5-£11
The cheapest items are in low stock. Standard delivery is £3.99 or free on orders over £49.99, or free click and collect. Online orders save 20% off £40 or 25% of £65 with the code SUMMER.
Peacocks: Uniform from £4 and discounts on polo shirts
Online and in stores | Ongoing
Peacocks is often overlooked as a shopping destination but currently, the school uniform range is definitely worth checking out. School uniforms start at £3.50 for children aged 4-16 and you can filter by age range too. There is currently also a sale section with 20% off.
- 2x Polo Shirts – £4.80 – £6.40
- Skirts – £4.80 – £6.40
- Grey Trousers – £6.40 – £7.20
There’s still plenty of stock available and prices change based on age. Standard delivery is £3.99 or free on orders over £40, while click and collect is £1.99 or free on orders over £40.
Clarks School Shoes
Clarks shoes are synonymous with school shoes – and did you know they now also do school uniform from £12? Get leather school shoes from £25 and plimsolls from £10.
Get £10 off your first £50 order by signing up to the Clarks newsletter.
Uniform Recycling
School take-back schemes: Many schools offer take-back schemes, allowing parents to donate old school uniforms at the end of the year, which are then sold on at a reduced price to others. Check if your local school has a scheme like this. If it doesn’t, you might be able to get one going with other parents.
Location-based recycling schemes: Check your local authority website to find out about local recycling schemes, but here’s a couple we found in London, where you can donate your old uniforms:
- Recycle School Uniform CIC, Westminster, London
- School Uniform Exchange, North London Waste Exchange
Secondhand Savings
If you’re looking to save money on school uniforms, secondhand options are a fantastic way to stretch your budget without compromising on quality. Here are some top places to find affordable, gently used uniforms:
Charity Shops: High street charity shops often have seasonal displays featuring school uniforms, it’s worth hitting your local area to see what’s in stock and ask staff if you’re looking out for specific items as they might have noticed some hidden in the back or tucked away on the shop floor.
Auction sites: Browse online for gently used uniforms at great prices, eBay has a huge selection with many parents selling affordable bundles with a section for boys and girls uniform. Vinted also has some great listings – we spotted full uniform sets for as little as £3.50.
Facebook: Check local listings for school-specific uniforms on Facebook Marketplace and it’s worth seeing if there’s a uniform group for your actual school. Many parents are swapping instead of selling this year, so that could be a good way to get a free uniform.
School PTA Sales: Many schools have uniform exchange programs or sales through Parent Teacher Associations, offering items at low or no cost. Check with the school or, as it’s the summer holidays, check in with parents of your class via WhatsApp.
Websites
There are some brilliant websites dedicated to selling, swapping and buying school uniform. Try checking out the below for extra savings, cheap uniforms and free school uniforms:
- Uniformerly.co.uk: Uniformerly is an award-winning online marketplace for school uniforms, where parents and PTAs can buy, sell, give away, and recycle outgrown school uniforms. For schools and PTAs, Uniformerly offers the opportunity to sell or donate uniform items to parents, so you could bag a free item.
- Oldschooluniform.co.uk: Founded by concerned parents, oldschooluniform.co.uk is a free online platform that allows you to sell, buy or donate school uniform. You can buy items by school name for much reduced prices or even free on this website and if you’re after a specific piece, you can list a notice on the site so others can contact you directly. As an online marketplace, they focus on recycling and repurposing and you can donate your old uniform directly to your school of choice.
Grants
If you’re struggling with costs, you should see if you’re eligible for government or local authority grants.
- Government Grants: In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, parents may be eligible for a uniform grant. Check Gov.uk for eligibility.
- School Trust Funds: Sometimes schools or trusts run their own schemes to offer help where needed but it depends on individual schools and you will need to contact directly to find out.
Do your bit for charity
Come September, many of us can be forgiven for breathing a little sign of relief when the schools re-open their doors, but did you know that as well as your own children, you can also send a less fortunate child to school too?
Founded in Nepal in 2003, Sherpa Adventure Gear has made it its mission to educate the children of Nepal and give employment to their parents. Working with the charity Room To Read’s Nepal Education Programme to implement a literacy programme aimed at improving and empowering the lives of children who are at a higher risk of dropping out of school due to cultural bias, a lack of educational resources and for girls, pressures to marry.
So, if you’re looking for a little late summer holiday wardrobe treat, make it a wardrobe staple with meaning as every Sherpa item sold means you’ll be sending a Nepali child to school! The beautifully made collection with its signature endless knot symbol includes sustainably made tees, tops, shorts, fleeces, dresses, roomy shopping totes or yoga/hike tights.
You’ll also be helping Sherpa achieve its commitment to providing 10 million school days by 2030!
Asdas have a few left at a good price