The cost of school uniforms has been revealed, after a new survey revealed that parents “remain concerned” about the expenses that go with sending a child to school. Nearly all children in schools, from reception to Year 11, are required to wear school uniform, while the vast majority are required to have a PE kit to a certain specification. A new survey from the Department for Education revealed that the average cost of a school uniform and PE kit in 2023 was £381.
96. When adjusted for inflation, this was £6 cheaper than the same purchases would have cost in 2015. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) While there were higher levels of expenditure for children in secondary school (£442) compared to those in primary schools (£343).
However, despite the evidence suggesting that costs of school uniform are comparatively lower than they were in 2015, the report finds that parents “remain concerned”. Summarising the findings, the report read: “Whilst there is clear evidence that the financial demands on parents/carers with respect to school uniform requirements are lessening, and that other indicators which are the focus of the statutory guidance are moving in the right direction, the 2023 survey also shows that parents (unsurprisingly given the currently economic climate), remain concerned about the cost of school uniform.” The report comes out at the same time teachers are calling for urgent action from the government's Child Poverty Taskforce.
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