Schools should make sure:
- they limit the number of branded items in the uniform
- second-hand uniforms are available
Information on how to buy second-hand uniforms should be published on the school's website.
Affordable credit
If you need to borrow to cover school costs, then there are safe and affordable ways to so.
One option is a community bank. These are not for profit financial organisations who offer affordable loans to those who struggle to access mainstream lending. Loans can be used for help towards the cost of school uniforms and other essential school items.
You can also save alongside paying back your loan, which can help with building up a nest egg for next year. Plus, all savings are fully protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme of up to £85,000.
Some community banks such as Derbyshire Community Bank and Chesterfield Credit Union offer bespoke loan products to cover the cost of school essentials. Alternatively, all community banks offer products called 'Family Loans' which allow residents to borrow against their Child Benefit payments.
Find out more about community banks.
Clothes banks and community hubs
There are many community hubs around Derbyshire offering localised support services such as food provision, benefit advice, and in some cases school uniform support.
Find details on your local Community Hub.
Free or low cost school uniform
This information may change at short notice, so please contact the groups directly to ensure opening hours are correct, and that the offers are still available.
Matlock
Users can post offers or wanted posts for Highfields uniform or closely associated products such as school shoes and coats and revision guides on Facebook.
Chesterfield
Edge Ministries Staveley Centre offers a free, pre-loved school uniform service. Please ring or email to find out more. Chesterfield Road, Staveley, Chesterfield S43 3XD. Telephone: 01246 925966 email staveley@edgministries.net.
Bolsover
Freedom Community Project, are running a low cost uniform sale week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 from 9am to midday, Monday to Friday at Freedom Community Project, Hillstown Methodist Church, Bolsover, S44 6NU. Cost £1 per item, however items will be given free of charge in an emergency. The project will also be able to provide items outside of this week, just pop in and ask.
Erewash
The Friends of Stanley Common run a school uniform reuse project for people in the local area.
High Peak
The Hummingbird Project is based in Glossop but also serves High Peak, Tameside and Greater Manchester. It provides a full range of preloved primary and secondary school uniform and PE kits, including uniforms with logos for all of the local Glossopdale schools. They're open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm and everyone is welcome, no referral necessary. Email hummingbirdhubs@gmail.com
High Peak Federation Thornsett and Newtown Primary Schools have a preloved uniform group for gifting or selling good quality branded and unbranded school uniforms as well as other group uniforms including brownies and scouts.
Buxton Community School, Temple Road, Buxton, SK17 9EA have a second-hand shop for people to donate and buy school uniforms. The shop will be open during parent's evenings, open evenings and by request via reception. Parents need to email info@buxton.derbyshire.sch.uk to say which uniform items they need. The school will reply to let them know if they have it in stock. On average people can save up to 75% on new prices.
North East Derbyshire
Edge Ministries Tupton Centre offers a free, pre-loved school uniform service at 68 Queen Victoria Road, New Tupton, Chesterfield S42 6DY - telephone: 01246 925966 or email tupton@edgeministries.net to find out more.
South Derbyshire
Hill Street Baptist Church, Swadlincote are offering school uniform bundles. To register for a uniform bundle, go to Hill Street Harbour on Fridays from 1pm to 4pm and fill out a short registration form. Full bundles may not be available for everyone in every size so they kindly ask that parents only take what their child needs. They also have a limited number of jumpers and cardigans with school logos so these are restricted to one per child. The same applies to secondary school blazers. They would also welcome donations of clean, pre loved uniforms. To find out more email clothesbank.hillstreetbaptist@gmail.com
Buying and selling online
Some school items are either sold or donated on social media marketplaces such as Facebook, Gumtree and Next Door. Here are some websites where you can buy and sell second hand uniforms:
As with all online transactions, please keep safe by following these tips:
- communicate through marketplace - when communicating with sellers, it's important to do so through the marketplace messaging system, this ensures that your conversation is secure and private
- be respectful and courteous, treat sellers with respect and be courteous when communicating with them
- only buy from sellers within your community - when buying on marketplace, stick to sellers from your local area or within your community
- check item descriptions carefully - make sure to read the description carefully before buying an item to ensure it meets your expectations
- once the transaction is complete, you can leave feedback for the seller to let others know about your experience
Financial assistance for post-16 students
Schools, colleges and training providers now have bursary funds to help students facing financial hardship.
For advice speak to your tutor at school or college.