The summer — however poor weatherwise — is here and for many, the next few weeks are a whirl of purchasing new items of school uniform and that all-important school bag.
Though many supermarkets and stores have, in recent years, upped the variety of items available, with impressive deals including a uniform bundle for under £10 per child. Impressive, and necessary, particularly if you’ve a brood of school children ready to don their uniforms or looking to have spare items just in case.
In June, Stormont’s Education Minister Paul Givan launched a public consultation seeking views on school uniform policy.
Launching the consultation, the minister said: “School uniforms play an important part in the engagement of pupils with their school.
“I recognise that many schools in Northern Ireland follow the existing guidance and work hard to keep the costs of school uniforms as low as possible.
“However, I know that some schools continue to have uniform policies where certain items are expensive or restrictive in where parents or carers can buy a uniform.”
This week, we’re searching for the prices of branded school uniforms. We have not included shoes — all stores do offer footwear as standard — and the items selected are not branded by school or college, where additional costs may lie.
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Tesco
This year, the supermarket has lowered the price on key items across its uniform range, on both entry-level prices and age splits — ensuring the best value it can for your school pupil. Pack prices of shirts, sweatshirts, trousers and skirts are up to £3 cheaper than 2023, depending on style and size.
The brand also offers a 365-day quality guarantee across the entire uniform range — nice to hear if your little darlings are fond of lunchtime football or a bit of breakdancing.
Its school shirts are now whiter and brighter with improved fit and functionality and knitwear is now 100% cotton. Hmm, cosy. Plus, tap your Clubcard for points.
Dunnes
The site offers a handy-size guide. Though approximate, it will offer some guidance as to sizing. It also gives a handy store directory, if you’re unsure where the nearest branch is to you.
Items are competitively priced and items are imbued with the brand’s newer-for-longer technology. Cardigans and jumpers have an anti-pill and anti-fade effect, plus they can also be machine-washed and tumble-dried.
Trousers have stain control technology to repel water and oil and include stain release to help stains wash out more easily.
And, for those not keen on ironing pesky pleats into school skirts, Dunnes has permanent pleat technology which eliminates the need for ironing.
Brands offer a variety of prices and options are regards school uniform
Asda
The George range won gold as Best Easy On in the 2024 MadeForMums school uniform survey. It’s Easy On Easy Wear uniform is ideal for children with sensory-sensitive or specific needs. With maximum comfort at its heart, alongside allowing children to dress independently, the adaptive uniform even uses soft threads, non-bulk seams and elasticated waistbands to keep everyone happy.
For children with hidden needs, these considerate adaptations will help all involved, plus the uniform remains easy to wash.
Like many stores, the George range offers a longer length in shirts, as well as plus and slim fit. Handy to pick up when you’re doing the food shop.
Sainsbury’s
Its Tu range secured Best Supermarket in the 2024 MadeForMums school uniform survey and was praised for its impressive range, competitive prices and long-lasting quality.
In fact, in some selected stores and online, the brand has held its 2022 school uniform prices (excluding socks, tights, school bags and selected shoes).
Additionally, the brand offers a 150-day guarantee and of course, you can collect and spend Nectar points on uniform items. Furthermore, those purchasing items online can make use of PayPal or Klarna if they so wish.
While we searched for items exclusively designed by Tu, Sainsbury’s website also offers a host of other school brands including Skechers, Magic Feet and ToeZone.
Lidl
If you’re lucky, you might be able to grab an item from the discount supermarket’s school uniform range. Its offerings are designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily school life, ensuring long-lasting durability and allowing students to focus on their studies and activities without distractions.
The retailer’s range of school uniforms are made in conjunction with the Cotton made in Africa (CimA) initiative, an internationally recognised standard for sustainable cotton from Africa.
Next
Buy online, pick up with free delivery in-store, happy days. Again, we’re sourced Next’s own brand of uniforms but like Very, it’s host to a classroom full of other names including Clarks, Kickers and Start-Rite.
Its trousers and shirts are designed with a gentle stretch for active and growing children, while adjustable waists ensure comfort.
Next also has a range of Teflon schoolwear, wherein a Teflon finish to repel water-based stains has been added to trousers, polo shirts and shirts. What it means is easy cleaning and — thank goodness — quick drying.
Also, their leather shoes are dubbed playground-proof. Speaking of shoes, many are available in half sizes and multiple widths.
Hands up for school uniform prices
M&S
The brand received the gold award for Best High Street in the 2024 MadeForMums school uniform survey, the third year in a row. Parents surveyed rated the brand for washing and quality, with M&S also receiving the highest average score for overall performance out of all brands included in the survey.
Long-lasting, the addition of adjustable features allows the items to grow with children. These include extra long trouser hems (if you know, you know). Other benefits include stain-resistant and crease-resistant fabrics and reinforced knees.
Comfortable and light, the brand say it’s designed to last longer and stay cleaner, surely something about which all parents will be delighted.
The shirt collection is impressive, made with breathable pure cotton and cotton-rich fabrics and are available in a range of fits, plus they are non-iron.
Matalan
Its all year round School Shop means you don’t have to panic buy everything in one go.
The brand’s easy-care schoolwear passes the test, including different trouser fit and school shoes that are both stylish and sensible.
When we price searched, we found a lot of bargains online that are maybe not in store, including a two-pack of long-sleeve girls’ blouses for £3-£3.50, a saving of up to £3 per pack. Speaking of shirts/blouses, Matalan also offers a generous fit style, plus different sleeve options and blouses with stretch, if needed.
Peacocks
Arguably on the more trendy side of school uniform, Peacocks offers items with a bit of style. From bootcut fit and super skinny trousers to skater skirts and pinafores (with pockets!), prices are reasonably competitive.
It also has a great range of shorts, gilets and long-sleeved T-shirts for afterschool activity, most of which retails at under £10 per item.
Very
Dubbed ‘Best Hidden Gem’ in the MadeForMums survey, the online retailer was praised for having great availability and a significant amount of items.
Of course, many parents prefer to have children try on items ahead of purchasing — after all, no one wants to be left with unwanted or poorly fitting items to return — but for those who need convenience, this is an option.
On its site, Very offers a series of filters for those buying uniforms to get exactly what they want, from multipack quantity (two-pack to five-pack), customer rating, brand range and offers.
Again, we searched for prices for Very own brand products, but other names included Adidas, Jack & Jones, Lelli Kelly and New Look.
For more information on the MadeForMums survey, see www.madeformums.com/reviews/school-uniforms-tried-and-tested/