Back to School On a Budget
- SuperSavvySavers
- Aug 15
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Back-to-school can be a significant financial challenge, especially when your child is starting school for the first time and you're buying everything from scratch. We've pulled together some money saving tips and ideas to help you get the kids kitted out for school, save you some money and make the whole process a little less daunting...
There's a lot to think about when it comes to getting the kids kitted out for school, especially if it's your first time and you're not even entirely sure what they need, never mind where to get it from! The main items to consider are of course school uniform. Don't forget that PE kit also falls within the items of required school uniform, so you may need to think about purchasing a pair of trainers as well as the school shoes. The kids will also need a lunchbox (unless you are fortunate to attend a school that provides school lunches), a water bottle, a book bag and a rucksack (satchel or backpack) to carry everything. You may also need some school supplies such as pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil case, notebooks, etc... although most Primary schools will provide these items.
1. School Uniforms and Clothing
Audit Your Needs First! ✏️
Before buying anything, check the school's uniform policy to see what items you're actually going to need and which items are required to have the school's logo. You can often get away with buying unbranded (non school logo'ed) items from a high-street retailer or a UK supermarket at a fraction of the cost of the branded items.
M&S and Next here in Guernsey stock school uniform year round. Matalan and Peacocks often stock a supply of basic uniform items ahead of the new school year in September.
George at Asda is GREAT for school uniform. Unfortunately George is no longer based here in Guernsey but you can order online and they deliver to Guernsey. Check out the George website here - George at Asda
You're also going to need PE kit. We tend to buy new trainers when we need them for everyday wear rather than buying a new pair for PE, then we use the old pair as PE kit which is left in a bag at school. Just seems a waste of money buying new trainers just to be worn for a couple of hours during the week.
Children will also need a warm coat in winter. The kids still get slung out into the playground regardless of how cold it is, so make sure they have a coat with them! A sun hat during the summer too! ☀️
Embrace Pre-loved / Second-hand School Uniform! 🤗
Kids grow quick and barely have enough time to get full use out of all their clothing items, so a LOT of second hand / pre-loved school uniform items are in very good condition. In fact you can often find various items brand new with tags, so don't dismiss buying second hand.
School Uniform Sales - Many schools, especially primary schools, have uniform swap shops second-hand sales, or a pre-loved uniform rail where you can find good-quality, second hand school uniform items. Check with the school's admin team or the parent-teacher association (PTA) to see if the school runs a school uniform rail, sale or swap scheme.
Facebook Groups - Utilising local Facebook groups for school uniform items for sale is an incredibly effective way to cut down on costs, save some money and reduce waste.
Look for local parent groups on Facebook as they often look to swap or sell school uniform. There are several local Facebook selling groups. Take a look at these, where you can often find uniform items for a fraction of the price -
Guernsey school uniforms - https://www.facebook.com/groups/414520825309625
Guernsey school uniforms for sale - https://www.facebook.com/groups/369980619714627
Children's clothes for sale - https://www.facebook.com/groups/158426417512964
You can also keep an eye on our own Facebook group where we share online offers and deals - SuperSavvySavers Online Deals.
Charity Shops - Many charity shops here in Guernsey offer children's clothing. Les Bourgs hospice in St Martins in particularly good for children's clothing and school uniform items and well worth popping in for a browse.
Health Connections are also very generous with their items and will often have a 'Kindness' rail at the front of the store where you can take what you need such as a warm coat.
Take a look at our post which offers details of all the charity shops that are available here in Guernsey - Guernsey Charity Shops.
The Shiloh Church - The team at Shiloh Church located at Landes du Marche keep a supply of pre-loved school uniform that can be collected free of charge. School uniform items are mainly Capelles and La Mare De Carteret Primary Schools since these are the schools nearby the church, but they do have uniform items for other schools too.
They also usually have a supply of trousers and shirts suitable for high school uniforms so please do pop in and ask if you need anything. The team are very friendly and non-judgemental. Some families use it as a swap-shop, whereby they take some outgrown school uniform items and 'swap' for uniform items of a larger size. They often also have school shoes in good condition, winter coats and trainers suitable for PE. If you do have any school uniform items or school shoes that you've grown out of, but still in good condition, please consider donating to the Shiloh Church where another family can make good use of your donated items.
Swap with family or friends
You might have family or friends with older children that could pass on various items of school uniform to you. You could come to some arrangement where you swap an item of your own.
Swapping school uniform items with family or friends is an excellent, cost-effective, and sustainable way to prepare for the new school year.
Buy New Items with Room to Grow!
If you are buying brand new uniforms, consider buying a size up. Many items such as trousers and skirts have adjustable waists, so you can pull them a little tighter then let them out as the children grow. You can also take up hems temporarily to get through the first year, then let them down as your child grows, giving the clothing a longer lifespan.
Shop Off-Season or in the Sales
Keep an eye out for uniform sales in supermarkets, High Street stores and online sales, particularly after the initial back-to-school rush in September. You can pick up items in a larger size to use for the following year at a significant discount.
2. Back to School Supplies and Equipment
Take Inventory: Before you start shopping, go through your home and see what you already have. Your child might still have perfectly good pencils, notebooks with unused pages, or a reusable pencil case from last year. Try not to buy a new item if the old one is still functional!
Make a List and Stick to It: Once you know what you need, create a shopping list. This prevents impulse buys and helps you stay within your budget. If your school provides a specific list of supplies, use that as your guide.
Don't Overlook Discount stores and Supermarkets: For basic stationery like pens, pencils, notebooks and pencil cases, you can find excellent deals at budget stores or sometimes in the local supermarket. B&M and Home Bargains are great for these items, so keep an eye out if you're travelling through the UK! Or locally, try WHSmith, the Co-op or Waitrose.
Invest in Quality for Big-Ticket Items: While it's tempting to buy a cheap backpack or lunchbox, it might be a false economy if you have to replace it multiple times during the school year. Investing in a good quality, durable backpack and lunchbox can save you money in the long run.
We found some great rucksack / backpacks on Amazon. My own kids have these and they've lasted years! We opted for the larger size (35 litre) but there's a smaller size option too (19 litre). We also bought for the '3 piece' option which comes with an insulated lunch bag and a pencil case, all three items for £18 - it's a total bargain. The backpacks are also great for travelling!
Lunchboxes - We found some great lunchbox deals on Amazon including some Sistema bento type lunch boxes. Aladdin's Cave here in Guernsey are currently running a 15% off offer on Sistema lunchboxes so that's worth a look too!
Lunchboxes & Water Bottles can often be found on offer in local shops and supermarkets. Here in Guernsey you can often find deals at Aladdin's Cave and the Co-op during August ahead of schools going back in September. The Co-op recently had a great selection of good value lunchbox and bottles which seemed to be exceptional value for money...
Label Everything: Clearly labelling all clothing, lunchboxes, water bottles, and stationery items with your child's name can prevent them from getting lost and needing to be replaced. You may think your child is very capable of looking after their own kit... and they probably are, but often it isn't through any fault of their own. Another kid picks something up by mistake, something gets moved accidentally... trust me, things disappear in schools - label everything!
There's a great UK based website called MyNameTags that offers name label printing for kids. Labels come in a variety of colours and designs. We've been using them for years and they're great. They provide Free delivery too 👍 Visit the MyNameTags website here - MyNameTags
3. Seeking Financial Assistance
When facing the costs of school uniform, there are a number of avenues for financial assistance available to families in Guernsey.
The States of Guernsey School Uniform Grant
The most direct and widely available form of assistance here in Guernsey is the School Uniform Grant provided by the Committee for Employment & Social Security. This is a means-tested benefit designed to help families provide a basic school uniform for their children.
Eligibility - The grant is means-tested, meaning the amount you receive is based on your annual household income and allowed expenses. Not all applicants will be eligible for a full grant. Additional information is available here - Guernsey Uniform Grant
How to apply:
Online: The quickest and easiest way to apply is by using the online form, which can be found here - https://gov.gg/uniformgrantform
Paper form: You can also request a paper application form by emailing incomesupport@gov.gg or by calling 221000.
Application Process:
Parents who are already in receipt of Income Support will have a simpler application process.
For those not on Income Support, you will need to submit proof of your income, rent, and mortgage interest with your application.
There is a list of approved uniform suppliers, and you will be advised of the amount you are entitled to once your application is processed.
Key Dates - While applications are typically open from early July, it's a good idea to apply before the stated deadline (usually in August) to ensure you receive your grant before the start of the Autumn Term. Applications are usually accepted until the following Easter holidays.
Direct Support from the School
The States of Guernsey's education services have a policy that school uniforms should be affordable and not a barrier to attendance. Schools should also make information on how to access second-hand uniforms available on their websites.
Don't be afraid to speak with the school's administration team or the headteacher if you're struggling with the costs. The school may have a hardship fund or be able to offer a temporary solution if you are having difficulties. They are often aware of local community groups or charities that can provide personalised assistance.
As mentioned previously, many schools, either through the PTA or a dedicated scheme, operate second-hand uniform banks or sales. This is a great, often free or very low-cost, way to get good-quality school uniform items.
Important Note: The information provided is a general guide and specific details, including application dates and eligibility criteria, can change. Always refer to the official States of Guernsey website www.gov.gg for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Good luck and have fun going back to school!
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