Parents spend more than £1,400 to equip their children with the essentials they need to start school during the school years.
A survey of 1,200 parents of school-age children found that £120 is the norm spent at the start of each school year – on things like new shoes, pencil cases and lunch boxes.
Over the 12 years from admission to Year 11, this is a total of £1,440.
Of the parents surveyed, 73% said they are worried about the cost of going to school, and half have even had to cut other expenses, such as food for themselves, to afford it.
The research was commissioned by Aldi as it launches a new Back to School fund to support families with increased costs at the start of term.
Liz Fox, Aldi UK’s National Sustainability Director, said: “We know that the back-to-school season can be a real drag on family finances, especially when we struggle to keep the kids entertained during the school summer holidays.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to support parents so that their money goes further. That’s why we’re giving families an extra helping hand with our initiative this September.
The study also showed that the average schoolboy goes through 70 polo shirts and 60 pairs of trousers during their junior years of education.
While 70% of parents always buy bigger clothes to make their children last longer, 63% say they pass down items to their younger children.
Almost half (47%) consider August to be the most financially difficult month for back-to-school shopping, and 75% say high school is the most expensive for essentials.
In addition to the official uniform, a quarter consider textbooks or additional study materials to be the most expensive to buy. Although 20% felt bags and lunch boxes can also add up.
It also revealed that parents spend an average of just over £100 a month on packed lunches throughout the school year. To keep costs under control, 58% shop at discount stores and 33% do the same every day.
According to data from OnePoll.com, 62% agree that what they give their child for lunch should be healthier than it currently is. Sandwiches (66%), potato chips (52%) and fruit (61%) are the most common lunchbox products.
The fund, which is open until 30/09/2024 and can be applied for by emailing AldiBTSFund@citypress.co.uk
Liz Fox added: “Throughout September we are giving parents the chance to claim £100 worth of vouchers to cover things like Packed Lunches and other essentials they need throughout the school year.
“We will also donate £20,000 to good causes focused on supporting children. This includes schools and nurseries through our community service platform Neighbourly, which helps provide the most essential to families who need it most.”
