Back to school next week? Cheap ways to get the essentials sorted.

Families face another back to school bill next week, with uniforms, shoes, stationery and other essentials all adding to the cost of getting children ready for the new term.

Almost half of parents are concerned about the cost of school uniforms, according to research from Save the Children and the Baby Bank Alliance.

Government guidance says schools in England should ensure second hand uniforms are freely accessible to all parents and publish information about how they can be obtained.

Parents could cut the cost of school uniforms by opting for plain essentials such as white polo shirts and black trousers from supermarkets including Asda and Tesco, where schools allow non-branded items.

We checked some of the cheapest options currently available:

White polo shirts: Asda - £3 for two

Black trousers: Tesco - £9 for two

Black skirt: Tesco - from £5

Black school shoes: Shoe Zone - from £7.99

It is not just uniform that can add to the back to school bill, with pencil cases, notebooks, pens and other classroom essentials also needed.

B&M Bargains have a selection of back to school stationery, including A4 notebooks for £3. A £6 bumper stationery set includes an A5 notebook, pencil case, ruler, eraser, pen, pencil and sharpener, although stock varies between stores.

Parents should also check with their child's school to see whether it runs a uniform swap or second hand uniform scheme, while local charity shops, community groups and online marketplaces can offer further options.

Reusing uniforms that still fits, choosing larger sizes where practical and opting for multipacks of everyday essentials such as shirts and polo tops can also help keep costs down.

With the new term just days away, shopping around and making use of second hand options could help keep the cost of getting ready for school down.