7 back to school ideas for working parents to save money and manage the juggle

According to our research, the average cost of a school uniform is about £180 and that's when buying the cheapest shoes available.

Branded items and specialist shoes push the total even higher. Footwear alone costs an average £43 for black school shoes and another £35 on average for trainers, our research shows.

Separate research by Child Poverty Action Group found learning materials cost families £64.66 for a child in primary school, and £449.67 for secondary school.

Financial support charity Turn2Us found 37% of parents are concerned the additional spending may impact their ability to pay everyday household bills and expenses.

Its research suggested almost a third – 32% - were going to cut back on how much they spend on food to afford the back-to-school costs.

For working parents, the financial pressure is compounded by the logistical juggle of balancing jobs, school runs, after-school clubs, and homework.

So we've spoken to some experts to find smart ideas to help working parents save money on back-to-school shopping and save time on keeping family life running.

1. Shop smart for school uniform

NimbleFins researched the cost of basic school uniform items at popular supermarkets and department stores - Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's Marks and Spencer, Next and John Lewis.

We found Sainsbury's Tu was cheapest for a four-year-old, with Asda beating Sainsbury's for children aged seven and 11.

When it came to school shoes, George at Asda came in cheapest at £10, with the average price coming in at £20.

However, for parents and guardians wanting to invest in quality shoes, the likes of Geox, Clarks and Start Rite are likely to cost £40+.

Many schools demand children wear branded items which can be more expensive for parents because they must be bought from specific retailers. But it's worth looking at your school's uniform policy to see which items don't need to be branded and therefore can be purchased in supermarkets or online.

Government guidance says schools must keep branded items to a minimum, and also must make second hand uniforms accessible for parents. Local Facebook groups might also be a good starting point to find parents with second hand or even unworn uniforms.

There are charity schemes and initiatives to support families with back-to-school costs, including school uniforms, stationery, and other essential supplies. A quick online search should be able to provide you with a list of those providing help.

Turn2Us, for example, offers grant search tools so that parents and carers can identify potential funding opportunities from charitable trusts. Another charity, Buttle UK, runs the ‘School Uniform Campaign’ and this provides financial assistance for school uniforms and other essential items.

Action for Children works with vulnerable families across the UK to help reduce the financial pressures of back-to-school shopping too by providing emergency food packages, books, clothing and uniforms.

If your child needs a new laptop, new school year can be a good a time to get discounted tech.

Geoff Pestell, CEO at broadband comparison site Fibre Compare, told us: "Back to school season is the perfect time to score deals on tech like laptops, tablets, and even WiFi routers. You can often take advantage of the discounts on offer, especially if it’s time to upgrade your home office gear too. A more energy-efficient router could also reduce your electricity bill, saving you money over time."

2. Save on school shoes

School shoes can be one of the most expensive items to buy, and sometimes parents even need to buy more than one pair a year for growing kids.

In fact, our research into which school supplies need to be replaced most often found school shoes are replaced an average of once a year, while PE kits including trainers are replaced on average 1.2 times a year.

We spoke to leather shoe brand Kickers for their thoughts on how to prevent repeat purchases and get the most value for money.

They told us to look for durable materials, prioritise comfort and fit, and get timings right.

Mikki Phillips, ecommerce manager at Kickers, said: "While it can be tempting to get organised early, children’s feet can grow unexpectedly quickly, and a pair that fits perfectly in July might be too small by September so it’s best to buy them closer to the start of the new term.

"A common mistake is opting for the cheapest price footwear available. While you may be saving initially, it can cost more in the long run as the shoes will be more likely to wear out after just a few months, forcing you to buy multiple pairs throughout the school year.

"Though your children might be drawn to the latest style trends, the most important factors for school shoes are comfort and a proper fit.

A well-fitting, supportive shoe will not only be more comfortable for daily wear but is also likely to be more durable, as they are designed to withstand adventures in the playground."

Many clothing retailers offer discounts when you recycle old clothes or shoes, and they don't necessarily even need to be the same brand.

Kickers offers the Kickers Reskinned service which gives customers £15 credit for sending a pair of shoes back. Minimum spend is £60, so you could get a new pair of leather shoes for £45 instead of £60.

3. Cheap packed lunch ideas

Families spend £486.30 a year on primary school children's lunches and snacks, and £846.15 for those in secondary school, according to research by Child Poverty Action Group.

To save where you can, financial influencer Gemma Bird, who goes by the name Money Mum and is an ambassador for discount retailer MandM, explained how avoiding mini packs of snacks saves her money. She told us to buy in bulk and portion snacks yourself at home.

Instead of spending extra on mini packs of crisps, cakes and raisins, she buys large bags and portions them out into sandwich bags, cutting the cost dramatically.

Refilling juice bottles at home instead of buying branded single-use drinks also saves the pennies which, she says, "add up massively over the school year".

Her pre-portioned lunchbox filled with multipacks and minis came in at £3.08 per portion, while the bulk buy version totalled just £1.11. That’s £9.85 saved each week, and £384 over the 39 weeks of school.

4. Label everything

It's thought one in three children lose school items within the first month of term.

Water bottles, followed by PE kits and cardigans, are the most commonly lost items according to discount retailer MandM, which carried out the survey.

The retailer urges parents to label everything possible, and avoid spending big on items that regularly go missing.

5. Create habits with dry runs of your morning routine

Re-introducing consistent wake-up times, meal times and bedtimes before the summer holidays are over will help ease children back into the school year when it starts.

Manjul Rathee, CEO and co-founder at BfB Labs, a social enterprise building tech to support children’s mental health, told us: "Holidays often disrupt routines with later bedtimes and less structure. While this change is nothing to worry about, re-establishing a routine is essential for helping children transition back to school.

"When it comes to the big day, checklists are a helpful tool to give your mornings structure and help children feel more in control. The night before, sit down together and break morning tasks into smaller, manageable steps, such as laying out their uniform, packing their bag, or setting up their lunch."

6. Know the new school holiday rules

Fines for taking children out of school to go on holiday rose from £60 to £80 in August 2024. The price doubles if not paid within 21 days.

The fine is per parent per child, so a family with two children could be fined £320 if both parents are fined.

NimbleFins previously revealed the council areas in England and Wales which issued the most and least fines.

Read more: Areas most likely to fine parents for school-time holidays - is it financially worth it?

7. Involve children in the process

This is an empowering way to get children engaged in preparing for school.

Get them involved in picking their school supplies, setting out their clothes and adding labels, and planning their evening routine so homework gets done, as the NHS encourages in this guidance.

This can also reduce morning stress and increase children's sense of control.

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