Overview
- Nationwide’s research, published Monday, found that hidden school expenses average more than £15,500 per child over a school career, with school clubs costing about £700 a year and totaling roughly £9,100 on average.
- Uniforms and sports kit add around £381 a year per child, and Nationwide has launched a price-comparison tool with Finder to help parents find cheaper options.
- The UK government will limit the number of compulsory branded uniform and PE items from September, and some local councils offer small grants while schools can use pupil premium funds at their discretion.
- In the United States, the National Retail Federation expects more than $43 billion in K–12 back-to-school spending this year and analyses from Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation show supply costs up roughly 11 percent with many parents planning to borrow to cover expenses.
- Economists and studies link the price rises to tariffs and higher shipping and fuel costs tied to global conflict, a shift that raises manufacturing and transport costs and could keep school-related bills elevated while increasing reliance on clubs for childcare.