School uniform sales 2026: M&S have 20% off from 20 August

With the summer holidays firmly underway, many parents will already be thinking ahead to the new school term. If you’re wondering when do kids go back to school, it’s time to start planning for those essential uniform purchases.

Whether your child is starting preschool or entering a new year, taking advantage of school uniform sales can save you time, money, and stress. By shopping early and smart, you can avoid the last-minute rush and ensure your child is fully equipped for the new term with uniform staples, shoes, bags, and a coat.

Sadly, most of this year’s big school uniform promotions ran during June and July, so several have now finished. There are still reasonably priced basics available, though, particularly at Marks & Spencer - they're offering 20% off from 20th August for a limited time!

So, to give you a hand with the back-to-school shop, we’ve checked the main school uniform retailers and supermarkets to find the best current prices.

School uniform prices and offers at a glance

• Tu at Sainsbury’s: School uniform from £3, with a complete uniform costing from £7 when bought in multipacks

• George at Asda: School uniform basics from £3

• 📣 Marks & Spencer: 20% off school uniform from 20 August

• Morrisons: Nutmeg school uniform from £4.95, with the same price charged across the available sizes

• Next: Two school polo shirts from £6 and five-packs from £15

• Matalan: School trousers from £7.50 for a two-pack, with lower prices across selected lines

• John Lewis: School uniform available online throughout the year

• Tesco: F&F school uniform available online, although its 25% summer discount has finished

• Aldi: Its £5 school uniform bundle has now finished for 2026

• Lidl: Its £5 school uniform event launched on 25 June and was available while stocks lasted

📣 Marks & Spencer: 20% off school uniform from 20 August

M&S is offering 20% off school uniform from Thursday 20 August for a limited time. Its range isn’t always the cheapest, but there’s a substantial choice of colours, fits and sizes, which is useful if standard supermarket cuts don’t fit your child comfortably.

Before the discount, prices include three stain-resistant polo shirts from £7, two pairs of school trousers from £11, two school jumpers from £11 and two pleated skirts from £10. Prices increase with size, so check the cost for your child’s age before comparing retailers.

Many pieces include practical features such as adjustable waists, grow-with-me hems and crease-resistant finishes. StayNew™ technology is designed to reduce fading, while selected items have stain-resistant fabric and an easy-iron finish.

Tu school uniform from £3

Tu has kept the prices of selected school uniform basics unchanged for a fourth year, with prices starting at £3. Using age five multipacks as an example, two polo shirts cost £3, two sweatshirts cost £4 and two pairs of trousers or skirts cost £7. That works out at £7 for one complete outfit.

Tu school uniform is available online through Tu and Argos, as well as in more than 400 selected Sainsbury's stores. Stock and prices vary by size.

George at Asda school uniform from £3

George has school uniform basics starting from £3, both online and in selected Asda stores.

At the time of checking, multipacks included two polo shirts from £3, two sweatshirts from £5 and two pairs of trousers or skirts from £8. Prices increase for older children and the cheapest sizes often disappear first.

Asda’s separate 20% off school uniform event ran from 15 to 21 June 2026 and has now finished.

John Lewis school uniform from £7

John Lewis sells school uniform throughout the year, with multipacks and individual items starting from around £7.

Prices include two polo shirts from £7, two skirts from £9, trousers from £9 and sweatshirts from £11. As you’d expect, larger sizes generally cost more.

It isn’t the cheapest retailer across every item, but the year-round availability makes it useful if your child needs an inconveniently timed replacement after losing yet another jumper.

Morrisons Nutmeg school uniform from £4.95

Morrisons has a smaller school uniform range than some of the other supermarkets, but its prices don’t increase for older children. That’s worth knowing if you’re buying for a lanky teenager rather than a reception child.

Standard prices include three polo shirts for £4.95, two short-sleeved shirts for £7, two woven skirts for £9 and two pairs of trousers for £10.

Morrisons offered 25% off the range from 6 to 12 July 2026. That promotion has finished, but the Nutmeg uniform range remains available in Morrisons stores, with some items also available online. Availability varies by size and location.

Next school uniform from £6

Next has one of the broader online school uniform ranges, covering uniform, PE kit, shoes, coats, bags and accessories. There’s a decent selection of less common uniform colours too, which saves traipsing around several shops in search of a yellow polo shirt.

Prices include two short-sleeved cotton polo shirts from £6, five polo shirts from £15 and two pairs of pull-on school trousers from £16.

Prices rise considerably with age and size. Next is unlikely to be the cheapest place for an entire uniform, but it’s useful for unusual colours, different fits and older children’s sizes.

Matalan school uniform from £7.50

Matalan has reduced the price of selected school uniform lines, including two-packs of school trousers from £7.50.

The range includes trousers, skirts, shirts, polo shirts, dresses, shoes, bags and lunch boxes. There are also slim, skinny, long-length and plus-fit options available across selected styles.

Prices generally increase with size, and not every colour or fit is included in the lower-price range.

Tesco F&F school uniform

Tesco’s F&F range covers the main school uniform basics, including polo shirts, shirts, trousers, skirts, sweatshirts and cardigans.

Its 25% off school uniform promotion ended on 26 July 2026, but the standard range remains available online and in larger Tesco stores. F&F school uniform also comes with a 100-day quality guarantee, subject to Tesco’s terms.

Amazon school uniform: does Amazon sell school uniforms?

While yes, customers can purchase school uniform items on Amazon, we didn't see any Prime Day deals on shirts, trousers, shoes, skirts and other school essentials for kids. 

That doesn't mean that there won't be any deals or offers available to shop before September, so keep checking back here. We'll update this page if there is!

Keep an eye out for sales throughout summer to help spread the cost

What you need and how many

School uniforms will vary based on your chosen school. Some prefer branded items only, whereas others only require you to follow a colour scheme. 

Related: When do kids go back to school?

Generally, a basic school uniform might include:

• Three to five tops (shirts or polo shirts)

• Three or four pairs of bottoms (trousers, skirts or shorts)

• Two or three jumpers

• Around seven pairs of socks

• One pair of shoes, possibly a spare pair

• An indoor PE kit (and pumps)

• An outdoor PE kit (and trainers)

Of course, quantities may vary based on how often you do your washing and also your personal preferences. Some

GameOfJones

Mumsnet users like to have something clean for every day to minimise the laundry pile and ensure pieces last a bit longer, whereas others will do a mid-week wash and can survive with less items.

For a full list of items, check out our back to school shopping checklist.

Where can you buy the cheapest school uniform?

Here in the UK, there are several retailers who are known for offering affordable, budget-friendly school uniforms. Supermarkets are pretty competitive on the cost of school uniform essentials and, according to Which?, are cheaper for a basket of primary school uniforms than high-street brands like M&S, John Lewis, Next, and Matalan. 

Of course, super-cheap products can sometimes be a false economy - so, it’s worth double checking an item's quality and basing your decision on your needs and budget. 

Check whether you can get help with uniform costs

School uniform grants aren’t the same across the UK, so don’t assume there’s one national £200 payment.

In England, support is decided by individual councils and isn’t available everywhere. In Wales, eligible families can apply for help through the School Essentials Grant, with up to £200 available in some circumstances. Northern Ireland has set uniform-grant rates based on the child’s age and school stage. Support in Scotland is administered by local councils, with eligibility and payments varying by area.

Check your local council or education authority’s website before buying. Applications can take time and councils sometimes set deadlines, so this is one job worth doing well before the last week of August.

Top tips for picking up affordable school uniform

• Are you on a low income? You may be able to get £200 a year towards the cost of your child’s school uniform. It’s available via local authorities throughout Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, and in some parts of England. You can check if you’re eligible here.

• Seek out sales like the ones we’ve listed above. With some planning and extra organisation, you can save time and money and avoid any last minute shopping stress (which more often than not, causes you to spend more than you intended).

• Pick up second-hand items by checking Facebook groups that are dedicated to selling or giving away uniforms that have been outgrown. Ask your school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) if there is a swap shop, and if there isn’t, are they open to setting one up? And finally, there’s Freecycle, eBay, and charity shops. 

• Check outlet stores, for example, Clarks Outlet has many pairs of shoes discounted online and in store and the M&S outlet offers 30% or more of hundreds of items. 

• Help uniforms last longer by following care instructions, adding your child’s name tags so they don’t get lost, and learn how to sew hems and make small repairs. 

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. With her eldest DC starting school this September, she’s personally trying to navigate back-to-school shopping and is on a quest to find the best, most affordable school uniform and school essentials for kids. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.

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