Many UK families can get help with the cost of school uniforms through local “school clothing” or “school essentials” grants worth up to about £200 per child, but the rules vary widely by nation and council. Support is most generous and consistent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while only a minority of English councils currently offer grants.
How school uniform grants work
School uniform help is not a single UK‑wide scheme. Instead, each nation – and, in England, each local council – decides whether to provide grants, how much to pay, and who qualifies. In most cases, the money is a one‑off, non‑repayable grant paid once per school year, usually straight to your bank account, to help buy compulsory items like logoed jumpers, blazers, PE kit and shoes.
Amounts range from around £30–£100 per child in some English areas up to £150–£200 per child in parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with higher amounts often reserved for children starting secondary school (Year 7/S1) or moving schools.
Who typically qualifies for up to £200
Eligibility is usually based on being on a low income and receiving certain means‑tested benefits. While exact rules differ by council, common qualifying benefits include:
-
Universal Credit below a set earnings limit (for example, less than about £850 per month in some Scottish councils).
-
Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit) below a set income threshold.
-
Income Support or income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
-
Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance.
-
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
-
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit (for kinship carers).
You normally must also: have a child in a specific school year (reception to Year 11), live in the council area, and be responsible for the child’s care. Some councils restrict the highest grants (around £200) to pupils moving into Year 7 or equivalent.
Typical uniform grant amounts across the UK
| Nation / example scheme | Typical maximum per child | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wales – School Essentials Grant | £125 per child; £200 for pupils moving into Year 7. | |
| Scotland – school clothing grants | At least £120 (primary) and £150 (secondary), councils can pay more. | |
| Northern Ireland – uniform grants | Around £93–£200 depending on school stage and PE kit needs. | |
| England – selected councils | Often £30–£100, sometimes higher in certain areas; most English councils offer nothing. |
England: postcode lottery on support
In England, there is no mandatory national school uniform grant. The Department for Education says families should check with their local council or school for help, but research shows only about 20% of English councils currently offer any uniform grant at all. Where support exists, grants might be as low as £25–£50 per child or up to around £100–£150 in a few areas, sometimes with extra help when a child moves from primary to secondary school.
Because of this “postcode lottery,” two families on identical benefits can receive very different levels of help depending on where they live. Debt‑advice and children’s charities have called for a single, England‑wide school clothing grant similar to those in the devolved nations.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: national frameworks
In Wales, the School Essentials Grant (formerly Pupil Development Grant – Access) offers £125 per child for most eligible pupils and £200 for those moving into Year 7, with applications open from 1 July to 31 May for the coming academic year. Families must be on specified benefits and apply through their local authority, usually online.
Scotland requires all councils to provide a minimum clothing grant – currently at least £120 for primary and £150 for secondary – though some pay more. Northern Ireland runs a central scheme through the Education Authority, with amounts varying by age and school stage but reaching up to around £200 for some secondary pupils.
How to check if you qualify and apply
The quickest way to see if you can get up to around £200 per child is to:
-
Use the GOV.UK school uniform page to find your local council (for England) or follow national pages for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
-
Search for “school clothing grant,” “school essentials grant” or “uniform grant” on your council’s website.
-
Check the eligibility list of benefits, income thresholds, and qualifying school years.
-
Apply online or via a paper form, uploading recent benefit award letters, Universal Credit statements, proof of address and your child’s school details.
Deadlines can be tight: Welsh and some Scottish councils require applications before the end of the school year or by specific summer dates, while others accept requests throughout the year.
What grants can cover – and other help
Uniform grants are primarily for compulsory items: branded blazers and jumpers, shirts, trousers or skirts, PE kit and often shoes or coats. Some schemes in Wales and Scotland explicitly say they can also help with sports equipment, bags and other essentials. Schools in England are also required to offer second‑hand uniforms and to limit branded items to keep costs down, and some run their own hardship funds or voucher schemes for families not covered by council grants.
If you do not meet benefit criteria, it is still worth asking the school about in‑house support, second‑hand sales, or local charities that provide supermarket or uniform vouchers. Advice organisations recommend checking you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, as qualifying for something like Universal Credit can open the door to uniform help as well.
SOURCE
FAQs
Q1: Is the £200 school uniform grant available everywhere in the UK?
No. Amounts and eligibility vary—up to around £200 is common in Wales, Northern Ireland and some Scottish and English schemes, but many English councils offer much less or nothing.
Q2: Do I need to repay a school uniform grant?
No. These are non‑repayable grants designed to help with back‑to‑school costs for low‑income families.
Q3: When should I apply?
Most councils open applications in late spring or early summer and aim to pay before the new school year; check your local authority’s deadlines each year.
