It would be perfectly understandable if the last thing on your mind right now was school uniform deals.

After all, the school summer holidays are only in their infancy, and the chances are you’re probably preparing for the big family getaway you’ve been patiently counting down the days to. We’re certainly not here to burst any holiday bubbles, but we are here to help prepare you for your little ones’ inevitable return to the classroom. So, while you may currently be hunting high and low for swimwear and sun cream, don’t forget to spare a thought for school uniform deals – because the ‘Back to School’ posters will be popping up before you know it.

How much do school uniforms cost?

Whether this is your first time on the lookout for school uniform deals, or your fifth, many families can find these summer weeks extremely challenging, and excruciatingly expensive. For one, the costs often fall at an awfully bad time, right after a summer of holidays and fun days out with the children.

We’re also aware that school uniform costs don’t stop at a new blazer and a pair of shoes. There’s often other hidden costs such as calculators, sports kits, and musical instruments. And those calculators will certainly come in handy when totting up all the items you need to buy.

According to figures from a 2020 study carried out by charity The Children’s Society, parents with children in state-maintained schools spent on average £337 a year on school uniform for each secondary school child, and £315 a year for each primary school child. That’s more than three times what parents told the charity they felt was a reasonable cost for primary and secondary uniforms.

Local authorities do offer assistance – www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/school-uniform and www.cumbria.gov.uk/childrensservices/schoolsandlearning/freeschoolmeals.asp – although the criteria is often strict.

And while websites like –www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-school-uniform/ – can be a big help, even the cheapest school uniform deals will require parting with a large chunk of money all at once.

Why is PCCU the answer to school uniform deals?

Last year, we helped 500 families spread the cost of expensive school uniforms with an affordable loan. As we’ve already mentioned, these costs rarely come at a good time, and often arrive at the same time. It’s PCCU’s mission to ensure that when you do find the best school uniform deals out there, you’re fully equipped to take advantage.

Take our Family Loan & Saving Scheme option, for instance. With this, we assess your affordability without a credit check, and use your child benefit to make the repayments; affordable repayments tailored to suit your financial circumstances.

If you already have a Family Loan with us, you may be eligible for a top-up. A top-up is the term used to increase your existing loan balance – you can apply to do this once a number of repayments have been made.

You will also be encouraged to make regular saving repayments alongside repaying your loan, meaning you’ll have a handy pot saved up for next year’s school uniforms.