Research from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) also found it costs £1,000 per year to send a child to state primary school, up 16% since 2022.
The cost increases outstrip both inflation (8%) and earnings growth (12%) during the same period.
The CPAG said the growing gap between costs and income makes it harder for kids to get on at school. It is urging the Government to use the child poverty strategy to improve living standards for families.
Minimum costs
The calculations come from an assessment of what parents think is the minimum needed for children to attend and participate in school – packed lunches and snacks, uniforms, PE kit, bags, school transport and trips.
Using wrap-around childcare, going on additional school trips, learning a musical instrument or taking part in after-school clubs are not included in the calculations and would lead to significantly higher costs.
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The key drivers of the rises since 2022 are the cost of food during the school day (including food at lunchtime and snacks) and an increased need for devices and technology. For secondary school pupils, there are higher subject costs, such as art and design materials, as well as textbooks and stationery.
‘Stunted’ potential
Kate Anstey, head of education policy at Child Poverty Action Group, said: “Parents are struggling to cover household bills while also forking out for pencils and PE gear at school. And still their children get priced out of school activities. Government’s forthcoming child poverty strategy must improve living standards for families.
“Help with the cost of the school day – including an expansion of free school meals and cash support with uniform costs in England – would make a huge difference to parents and kids alike. And unless the strategy scraps the two-child limit, more and more children across the UK will see their potential, in and outside the school gates, stunted by poverty.”
Uniform costs
School uniform costs are still a significant expense for parents, but the minimum price tag has been reduced slightly since 2022, with parents reporting there is now more flexibility about where uniforms can be bought, particularly for primary-aged children.
The Government announced last week that new legislation on branded items would save parents £50 per year on school uniform costs.
However, for secondary-aged pupils, the list of items that need to be purchased from a school stockist remained extensive in 2024, including a tie, blazer, skirt, polo shirts, PE shorts, PE jogging bottoms, socks and a hoodie.
While some families can receive help with school costs, this varies by UK nation, with England providing the least. Where it does exist, the extra support only applies to a small proportion of families or only covers a fraction of the costs.
The UK Government does not provide families in England with cash support for buying school uniforms and kits, as happens in all other UK nations.
