School costs and the help available
Last reviewed October 2026
State school in England is free, but it is not costless: uniform, meals, trips and equipment add up. The good news is there is real help, and some of it is widely under-claimed. Here is what to budget for and what support you may be entitled to.
What actually costs money
- Uniform — the biggest predictable cost, especially where branded items are required. Government guidance now tells schools to keep branded items to a minimum and allow high-street alternatives.
- Meals — a school lunch if your child is not entitled to free meals (all infants in Reception to Year 2 in England currently get universal free lunches).
- Trips and activities — day trips, residentials, music lessons and clubs. Schools can ask for voluntary contributions but cannot charge for anything that is part of the curriculum.
- Equipment — a bag, PE kit, stationery, and a device for homework at secondary.
- Travel — covered in our getting to school guide, including when travel is funded.
Free school meals (FSM) — and why to apply even for infants
If you receive certain benefits, your child qualifies for free school meals. Even though all infants already get free lunches, it is worth registering if you are eligible, because doing so also triggers pupil premium funding for the school and can unlock other help (below). You apply through your local authority — it takes a few minutes and the school is not told your financial details, only that your child is eligible.
Pupil premium: what it means for you
Pupil premium is extra money the government gives schools for each eligible child (broadly, those who are or have been eligible for free school meals, looked-after children, and some others). You do not receive it directly, but schools use it for things like extra tuition, help with the cost of trips, or free access to clubs — so registering for FSM can benefit your child even beyond the meal itself. It is worth asking a school how it spends its pupil premium.
Help with uniform costs
There is no single national uniform grant in England, but help exists: many local authorities and some schools run uniform grants or schemes, lots of schools and PTAs run pre-loved uniform sales or swaps, and charities can help in hardship. If cost is a worry, ask the school directly — they would far rather help than have a child without the right kit. (Scotland and Wales have their own national school-clothing grant schemes.)
Other support worth knowing
- Help with trips and music — eligible children often get residentials and instrument lessons funded or subsidised; ask the school.
- Early years funding — funded hours for eligible 2-year-olds and the universal hours for 3- and 4-year-olds.
- Household support — councils run a Household Support Fund that can help with essentials; eligibility varies locally.
How this connects to choosing a school
Cost rarely decides which school is right, but it is fair to factor in: a school with a strict branded uniform and lots of paid extras can cost noticeably more than one nearby that keeps things simple. When you visit, it is reasonable to ask about typical yearly costs and the help available. Our area pages also show, as neutral context, how mixed each area is — see reading the local context.
Where to apply and check
Apply for free school meals and check uniform help through your local authority (search “free school meals” plus your council). The national overview is on GOV.UK: apply for free school meals. For the national rules schools must follow on uniform cost, see GOV.UK uniform cost guidance.
General information for parents, not benefits advice. Eligibility rules change and vary by nation and council — always check the official pages for your area.