New findings reveal the cost of sending a child to school could reach almost £800 a year. This is the equivalent to 3.5% of the average annual salary. The research considers the cost of preparing a boy or girl for a new school year, as well as ongoing expenses such as school meals.
The research shows it costs slightly more to send a boy to school than it does a girl, with expenses potentially reaching £792.49 compared to £773.49. Parents with multiple children face an even greater financial outlay.
With the average UK salary standing at £22,829 after tax, according to the Office of National Statistics, parents will spend almost 3.5% of their yearly income on a child’s school attendance -3.5% for boys and 3.4% for girls.
School meals are the biggest expense across the year, reaching a total of £448.50 based on the government assigned cost of £2.20-£2.30 a day. New school uniforms are the next most expensive item, potentially extending to £183 for boys and £154 for girls. Certain schools require customised uniform that may increase costs further. Sports kit is another clothing purchase that needs to be considered, coming in at £85 for girls and £83 for boys.
Other items on the school shopping list include a full stationery set and a school bag. It is often assumed that a child’s school costs only impact parents at the start of a school year. Sending a child or children to school is a significant financial commitment and it is important to plan accordingly.
