The findings come as many families prepare for the September return to school, with nearly half of parents reporting stress linked to education costs. According to Nationwide’s research, families are changing their spending habits to manage these expenses, including cutting back on leisure activities, clothing and savings.
School Clubs Account for the Largest Share of Long-Term Costs
School clubs represent the biggest part of the total bill identified in the research. Parents spend an average of £700 each year on clubs and related costs, which adds up to around £9,100 over a child’s school career.
According to Nationwide, 36% of children attend an average of two clubs during the academic year, with parents paying around £11 per session. Football is the most popular activity, attended by 38% of children, followed by swimming at 17%, creative clubs at 13% and dance at 12%.
For many families, clubs are not only about activities outside the classroom. The research found that 22% of parents and guardians use clubs to help cover childcare gaps, while 45% pay for them to help children develop skills beyond the curriculum. The same proportion said they support their child’s interest in a particular activity.
Jordan Banjo, a member of Diversity and a street dancer, said his own experience with hobbies such as dancing and karate showed him the value of activities outside school. He added that the cost can become difficult for families when clubs are combined with uniforms and trips.
Uniforms and Trips Add Further Pressure on Household Budgets
Although clubs make up the largest portion of the estimated spending, uniforms and school trips also contribute significantly to the overall cost. According to Nationwide’s research, parents spend an average of £381 each year on uniforms and sports kit.
Families reported replacing around 25 uniform and sports kit items each year, meaning approximately 325 items could be lost, damaged or worn out during a child’s school years. The most expensive individual items included school shoes at £43 on average, PE trainers at £42, blazers at £37 and tracksuits at £29.
School trips create another expense for parents. The research found that 98% of children attend at least one day trip each year, while around half take part in residential trips. Among parents whose children attend residential trips, 49% spent more than £100 per child.
Nationwide’s research found that 49% of parents feel stressed about the cost of returning to school. Families said they are reducing spending on areas such as eating out and takeaways, entertainment, holidays and clothing to manage school-related payments.
Parents are also using several approaches to control costs. According to Nationwide, 43% look for sales and discounts, 35% set money aside in advance, and 34% reuse items from previous years or compare prices between retailers.
Kate Steere, parent and consumer editor at Finder, said families can involve children in discussions about budgeting and decisions around activities. She also suggested using second-hand options for equipment and uniforms, including community exchanges and online marketplaces.
Nationwide and Finder have created a back-to-school calculator designed to help parents compare spending on clubs, uniforms and trips. The research was conducted among 2,002 UK parents and guardians between 28 July and 3 August 2026.
