Primary school costs £6,000 per child

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, parents are feeling the pinch more than ever.

New research from Tigertags.co.uk reveals that, by the time children leave primary school, families can expect to spend over £6,000 per child.

That’s a hefty sum, especially when 100,000 more children are living in relative poverty this year compared to last.

Where the money is

According to the findings, if your little one opts for packed lunches, you could be shelling out around £6,326.82 across seven years, averaging £904 each year.

If school dinners are the choice, the total cost drops slightly to £5,755.82, averaging £822 yearly.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• school dinners: £3,059 over seven years
• packed lunches: £3,630 over seven years
• school trips: £512.82 over seven years
• uniforms: £2,009 over seven years
• school bag: £175 over seven years

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) recently reported that many primary schools are stepping in to provide support, with 40% of teachers noticing more pupils arriving without suitable clothing – a big rise from the previous year.

Money-saving tips for parents

Sonja Adams, founder of TigerTags.co.uk, offers some savvy advice for parents:

• Second-hand uniform shops: many schools have these, offering great savings and promoting sustainability.
• Set up a swap: organise uniform exchanges through local groups or the school PTA.
• Government grants: check for local council grants to help cover uniform costs.
• Buy a size bigger: this can help uniforms last longer, especially with adjustable clothing.
• Maintenance tips: use labels to prevent items from getting lost, and basic sewing skills can extend the life of uniforms.

With these tips in mind, parents can take a little pressure off their wallets.