Parents will spend more than £1,400 kitting out their child with back-to-school essentials over the school years.

A study, of 1,200 parents of school-aged children, found £120 is the norm to spend at the start of each school year - on the likes of new shoes, pencil cases, and lunchboxes.

Over the 12 years from Reception to Year 11, this totals £1,440.

Of parents surveyed, 73% said they worry about the cost of the back-to-school shop, and half have even had to cut back on other spends such as food for themselves to afford it.

The research was commissioned by Aldi, as it launches a new Back-to-School Fund to support families with the increased costs at the beginning of term.

Liz Fox, national sustainability director at Aldi UK, said: “We know the back-to-school period can be a real pinch point for family finances, especially after having to contend with keeping the kids entertained during the summer school holidays.

“We’re committed to doing whatever we can to support parents in making their money go further. That’s why we’re giving families an extra helping hand via our initiative this September.”

The research also found the average school child will go through 70 polo tops, and 60 pairs of trousers during their younger education years.

While 70% of parents always buy clothes in bigger sizes so they last their child longer, 63% say they pass items down to their younger children.

Nearly half (47%) find August the most financially difficult month when it comes to school shopping, and 75% claim secondary school is the most expensive in terms of buying essentials.

Besides uniform, a quarter find textbooks or additional learning materials to be among the most expensive things to buy. While 20% feel bags and lunchboxes can also add up.

It also emerged parents will spend on average just over £100-a-month throughout the school year on packed lunches. To keep costs down, 58% shop at discount supermarkets, and 33% make the same thing every day.

According to the OnePoll.com data, 62% admit what they give their child for lunch should be healthier than it currently is. With sandwiches (66%), crisps (52%) and fruit (61%) among the most common lunchbox items.

The fund, which is open until September 30th 2024 and can be applied for by emailing AldiBTSFund@citypress.co.uk

Liz Fox added: “Throughout September, we’re giving parents the chance to apply for vouchers worth £100 to help cover the cost of things like packed lunches, and other essentials they’ll need to stock up on throughout the school year.

“We’re also donating £20,000 to good causes focused on supporting children. This includes schools and nurseries through our community giving platform, Neighbourly, to help provide essentials to families that need it most.”