How to get free or cheap school shoes for kids in the UK

When your child outgrows their school shoes faster than you can say “back to school,” the cost soon adds up. A decent pair can easily set you back £30 or more, and that’s before socks, uniform, and PE trainers are added to the mix.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get school shoes for little or no money.

Check local uniform banks and community swaps

Many towns now have school uniform banks or swap shops that give out pre-loved uniforms and shoes for free. These are often run by local charities, churches, or community groups.

Search on Facebook for “school uniform bank” plus your area, or ask your child’s school if they know of any local schemes.

Some areas, like Leeds and Manchester, even have council-backed projects that collect donated shoes and uniforms all year round.

The shoes are cleaned, checked for wear, and then given out before each new term.

Quick tip: August is when most swap events happen, so it’s worth checking early in the summer.

Ask your child’s school for help

Schools don’t always advertise it, but many have access to hardship funds for families struggling with uniform costs. You can ask in confidence at the school office or speak to your child’s head of year.

Some schools also keep spare uniform and shoes donated by parents, which can be quietly offered if you’re short.

Look into council or charity support

Many councils offer one-off grants or vouchers for school uniforms and shoes. These usually depend on your income, benefits, or whether your child qualifies for free school meals.

Visit your local council website and search for “school uniform grant.” Even if shoes aren’t listed separately, you may still be able to use the grant towards them.

National charities can also help:

• Family Fund supports families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
• Buttle UK offers grants for essential items like clothing and shoes.
• Salvation Army and Barnardo’s sometimes provide school essentials through local centres.

Look for free school shoes via charity programmes

The national charity Shoe Aid helps schools and families across the UK get free shoes when budgets are tight. They run a collection and distribution network so no child (or adult) has to go without proper footwear.

You can ask your child’s school if they’re signed up or contact Shoe Aid directly to see if they can help with school shoes or trainers.

If your school isn’t involved, it’s worth suggesting they register with the charity to support more families in your area.

Check supermarket and discount store offers

Supermarkets like Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s often launch uniform sales in the summer, where shoes can cost as little as £10 a pair.

Aldi and Lidl also bring out limited ranges that sell quickly, so it’s worth signing up to their newsletters or checking leaflets for launch dates.

If you prefer well-known brands like Clarks or Start-Rite, check their factory outlet sections online. You can often find last season’s styles heavily reduced.

Quick tip: Outlets such as Clarks Village (Street, Somerset) and online retailers like Shoe Zone, Sports Direct, or MandM Direct can save you up to half the price.

Try second-hand sites and local groups

Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, and local buy-and-sell groups can be goldmines for barely worn school shoes. Kids’ feet grow so quickly that many pairs have plenty of life left in them.

If you’re buying second-hand, check the soles and heels for wear and give them a good clean. Add new insoles if needed to freshen them up.

Make them last longer

If you’ve managed to get a new pair, you’ll want them to last as long as possible.

Waterproof them before wearing, polish them regularly, and make sure your child swaps shoes between school and home to stop them wearing out too soon.