The Back-to-School Crunch: Navigating Costs for the 2025/2026 Academic Year
- CLEVR Team
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
As the summer holidays approach, the familiar financial strain of "back-to-school" preparations begins to loom. Getting children ready for the 2025/2026 academic year requires careful budgeting. Everything is more expensive but our income is the same!
Best way is to start budgeting. Know the whole cost first, count your money, then make the purchase. So, what are the essential items and their average costs?
The Shopping List and Estimated Costs (New Items):
School Uniform: Often the largest expense. For a secondary school child, compulsory uniform and sportswear averaged around £92.35 in 2024. Primary school uniform is slightly less, but still a significant cost.
PE Kit: A full PE kit, including trainers, for a secondary school child could be £169-£172. Primary school PE kits average £117-£120.
School Shoes: Durable shoes are essential, typically costing £25-£60+.
School Bag/Backpack: A sturdy bag ranges from £10-£50+.
Stationery & Supplies: Pens, notebooks, calculators – a year's worth can easily reach £30-£50. For secondary pupils, a laptop or tablet is increasingly expected, adding a substantial average of £511.40 if a new device is needed.
Total Estimated Cost (New): Without a new laptop, expect to spend £275-£380+ per child.
The Savvy Shopper: Buying Used
For many, buying new isn't an option. The second-hand market offers considerable savings:
Used Uniform & PE Kit: Many schools offer second-hand sales (often £1-£5 per item). Online marketplaces like eBay and local community groups are also great sources.
Used School Shoes/Bags: Second-hand bags are plentiful (£5-£15). While less common for shoes, nearly new pairs can be found for less.
Used Technology: Pre-owned laptops/tablets can significantly reduce tech costs.
By choosing used items, parents could realistically cut back-to-school costs by 50% or more, potentially bringing the total down to £100-£200 (excluding a laptop).
Lifting the Burden: CLEVR Money and Credit Unions
The financial pressure of back-to-school costs is one of the primary reasons credit unions created "Family Loans." These loans are specifically designed to support parents and not to add burden.
This is where CLEVR Money offers an innovative solution. Our mission is to ease parental pressure by reassigning the use of Child Benefit. Imagine using your Child Benefit to cover these essential school expenses, while also saving a portion for unexpected costs, and still receiving the rest of your payment. It's a transformative approach to financial management.
Becoming a credit union member goes beyond accessing affordable loans. It elevates parents from seeking charity to achieving self-independence, offering freedom of choice and dignity as parent provide the best for their children's education.
As we look towards the 2025/2026 academic year, remember that support and smart strategies are available. Explore second-hand options, budget wisely, and consider how we can empower you to manage the back-to-school burden with confidence.
