School costs are leaving almost three-quarters of parents in Northern Ireland under financial pressure, with almost two in five saying they have gone into debt to cover the expense of sending their children back to school.
New research from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) found that 71 per cent of parents regard back-to-school costs as a financial burden, up three percentage points on last year.
The survey of 560 parents found that 37 per cent have gone into debt to cover school costs, with the average amount borrowed increasing by £47 to £301.
Families with children at secondary school face the greatest financial pressure, with 42 per cent of parents of secondary-only children saying they get into debt to cover costs. That rises to 56 per cent among parents with children at both primary and secondary level.
The research, carried out by iReach Insights in June, found that parents expect to spend an average of £1,363 on a primary school child across the school year.
That includes £570 in upfront back-to-school costs and a further £793 in running costs.
The figure rises to £2,029 for secondary school pupils, made up of £1,106 in upfront costs and £923 in running costs.
Almost three in five parents (59 per cent) said their overall school costs are higher than they were last year.
Among those who reported an increase, school uniforms were the most commonly cited reason at 56 per cent, followed by branded or crested items at 38 per cent and school lunches and food at 33 per cent.
Uniforms remain a particular source of frustration, with 61 per cent of parents saying they feel under pressure to buy branded clothing, footwear or other items for their children. That figure has increased from 56 per cent in 2025.
Only 17 per cent of parents said they had been able to obtain a second-hand uniform, while one in four said none of the lower-cost purchasing options available to them could be used.
One parent told the survey that their daughter’s uniform was “available from only two shops”, with summer blouses costing £20 each.
Another said uniforms “should not be branded and only available from one supplier”.
Secondary school parents were more likely than primary school parents to be required to buy uniforms at full price from a named supplier, at 30 per cent compared with 21 per cent.
Technology is also contributing to the cost of starting secondary school, with parents expecting to spend an average of £159 on a laptop, iPad or other digital device.
A further £107 is spent on average on branded clothing for school sports teams.
The survey also found that 90 per cent of parents are asked by their child’s school to make a “voluntary” contribution, with the average contribution standing at £110.
That rises to £132 for secondary school children, compared with £87 for primary school pupils.
The findings come as new statutory measures aimed at making school uniforms more affordable begin to take effect in Northern Ireland.
Just 30 per cent of parents believe schools currently do enough to keep costs down, while 43 per cent said they could see definite improvements. A further 27 per cent said they had seen no improvement.
For many families, the financial impact extends beyond school-related spending.
Family holidays were the most common sacrifice, with 39 per cent of parents saying they had cut back on them to meet school costs.
A further 26 per cent had sacrificed summer camps or activities, while 18 per cent had cut back on credit card payments, 17 per cent on household bills and 16 per cent on food.
More than one in three parents (35 per cent) said they had been forced to deny their children certain back-to-school items because they could not afford them.
Among those parents, 43 per cent said they could not afford extracurricular activities, 33 per cent school trips, 32 per cent new gym gear, and 29 per cent new shoes.
The survey also highlighted the financial pressures families face during the summer holidays, with 78 per cent of parents saying increased food costs had resulted in at least one financial impact.
One in three (33 per cent) had used savings to cope with increased food costs, while 31 per cent had reduced spending on other household essentials, and 27 per cent had cut back on leisure or family activities.
Martin Fisher of the Irish League of Credit Unions said the financial strain came from the accumulation of costs throughout the school year.
“The real difficulty for families is not any one item, but the accumulation of costs across the school year,” he said.
“The initial outlay on uniforms and equipment is followed by lunches, transport, trips, and activities, leaving parents with little opportunity to recover financially.”
He said families who had already used savings to cope with higher food costs during the summer could face the new school year before their finances had “any chance to reset”.
Mr Fisher added that the issue was “not solely” affecting the lowest-income households.
“Families who fall outside existing supports can still struggle with large, unavoidable costs, particularly at secondary level.
“Greater flexibility around uniforms, fewer branded requirements and earlier notice of expenses would give parents more control.”
The ILCU said parents concerned about meeting school costs should speak to their local credit union before turning to expensive short-term borrowing.
The research was conducted between June 18 and 25 among 560 parents of children returning to or starting primary or secondary school in September.
The ILCU said the 2026 survey had been expanded to capture both upfront costs and expenses incurred throughout the school year, meaning the overall cost figures are not directly comparable with previous years.
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