Episode Details

Children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland return to school this week, with Scottish children already well into the first term of the year.

Many parents and carers will have the cost of sending their children to school in mind this week, right as several changes come in on uniforms, free school meals and the continued rollout of free breakfast clubs.

Parents could expect to spend more than £15,500 on a child's school years from reception to GCSE, with school clubs accounting for the biggest share of the bill, according to new Nationwide research.

Felicity Hannah is joined by Carol Homden, the chief executive of children's charity Coram and Jasmine Birtles, director and co-founder of MoneyMagpie.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Will Harris Production co-ordinator: Catherine Lund Editor: Jess Quayle Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson

(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 2nd September 2026)