Nearly half of parents don't feel ready for the school week until Sunday evening or Monday morning

New research from Tu at Sainsbury's reveals the juggle behind managing school uniform week-to-week

• Nearly half of UK parents (49%) don't feel fully ready for the school week until Sunday evening or Monday morning¹
• Parents spend more than 74 hours a year preparing school uniform²
• From last-minute ironing and missing items to urgent re-washing, the findings reveal the everyday uniform pressures families are juggling during the school week
• Tu's School Shop's durable, non-iron and easy-care school uniform range is designed to make the school week easier for busy families

The Uniform Readiness Index

As families prepare for the return to school, new research from Tu’s Uniform Readiness Index reveals that nearly half of parents (49%) don't feel fully ready for the school week until Sunday evening or Monday morning.

While school uniform is often thought of as a Sunday evening task, the reality is often much more demanding. On average, parents spend more than 74 hours across the school year preparing their child’s school uniform, with everyday jobs such as last-minute ironing, finding missing items and replacing worn-out essentials becoming a regular part of family life.

The reality of the school week:

From unexpected spills and replacement shopping to ironing at short notice and searching for missing pieces, school uniform is a regular part of the weekly family juggling act.

Tu's Uniform Readiness Index reveals the five tasks' parents would most like to spend less time on:

1. Ironing (39%)
2. Washing (36%)
3. Finding missing items (28%)
4. Labelling clothes (24%)
5. Shopping for replacements (23%)

The research also reveals that last-minute school uniform issues are a regular reality for many families. One in four parents experience a uniform-related problem every week or most weeks, while 59% say they have had to resolve a school uniform issue at the last minute. One in three parents (33%) take a day-by-day approach to school uniform preparation, while more than a quarter (26%) frequently find uniform missing, unclean or not ready when it's needed.

When things go wrong 

When uniform isn't ready, the challenge often shows up in the very practical moments of the daily routine: a missing jumper just before the school run, trousers that need urgent ironing, a stained shirt that must be re-washed.  When faced with a uniform issue, parents report:

• Purchasing or replacing school uniform at least once every school term (64%)
• Carrying out last-minute ironing (35%)
• Scrambling to find missing items (34%)
• Handling unexpected uniform damage (32%)
• Doing late-night or urgent re-washing (31%)
• Dealing with unwashed uniform emergencies (26%)

Kimberly Royle, Head of Childrenswear Buying, said: “Getting children ready for school is one of those jobs that can seem small on its own but quickly adds up alongside everything else families are juggling.

What the research really highlights is that school uniform isn't something families think about once a week on a Sunday evening. For many parents, it's an ongoing part of the weekly routine, whether that's tackling the ironing pile, replacing missing items or making sure everything is ready for the next morning. We've designed our school uniform range with those everyday realities in mind, focusing on practical features that help families save time, reduce everyday upkeep and make the school week feel that little bit easier to manage.”

Helping Take the Pressure Off

Tu's School Shop is designed to help take the pressure out of everyday uniform upkeep, with practical features including non-iron fabrics, reinforced knees, permanent pleats and adjustable hems. Built to withstand frequent washing, everyday wear and growing children, the range is designed around the realities of family life. Non-iron fabrics, reinforced knees and permanent pleats help uniforms stay looking smarter for longer, while durable designs help kids get more wear out of their uniform throughout the school year.

Alongside practical design features, Tu continues to offer strong value for families with prices locked for a fourth consecutive year³ and two full uniforms available from just £14, or £7 each when shopping age 3-6 multipacks⁴, helping families manage both the time and cost involved in preparing for the school year.

As families prepare for the return to school this September, Tu’s Uniform Readiness Index shows how something as simple as school uniform can have a big impact on how smoothly the school week runs for busy families. While no product can remove the realities of a hectic family schedule, practical features that save time, reduce upkeep and deliver lasting value can help make a new term a little easier to manage.

Tu Clothing’s full school uniform offering from £3 is available online at tu.co.uk, argos.co.uk and in over 400 selected Sainsbury’s stores nationwide now.

Tu was also named Best Value School Uniform in the MadeForMums 2026 School Uniform Awards⁵ for the second-year running.

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Notes to Editors

Research summary:

Research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Tu between 16 July and 21 July 2026 among 2,000 UK parents of children aged 4-16 who wear school uniform and are not homeschooled.

¹ Based on the combined percentage of parents who said they do not feel fully prepared for the school week until Sunday evening (38.2%) or Monday morning (10.9%).

² Over 74 hours a year' is calculated using the average time spent preparing school uniform each week (1.9 hours) across a standard 39-week school year (74.3 hours).

³ Prices locked for the 4th year in a row. Stores which stock uniform and online. Subject to availability. Price Lock 2022 full prices held on key lines. Excludes footwear, socks, tights, bags and brand new lines. For the full list of products included and verification  Click here

⁴ Full uniform price calculated using age 5 items across core multipacks: 2 pack polo shirts (£3), 2 pack trousers (£7) or skirt (£7), and 2 pack sweatshirt (£4), based on per unit pricing within each pack.

• 2 Pack Unisex Polo Shirts with Perfect White 5 years (£3.00 / £1.50 per unit)
• Buy 2 Pack Grey Trousers with Reinforced Knees & Extendable Hems Generous Fit 5 years | Features and benefits | Tu (£7.00 / £3.50 per unit)
• Buy 2 Pack Black Permanent Pleat Skirts Longer Length 5 years | Skirts | Tu (£7.00 / £3.50 per unit)
• 2 Pack Unisex Royal Blue Sweatshirts 5 years (£4.00 / £2.00 per unit)

⁵ School Uniform Awards 2026 | MadeForMums

Media enquiries:

For further information please contact: lifestylepr@sainsburys.co.uk

About Tu:

Tu has been inspiring fashion confidence since its launch in 2004, offering design-led, excellent quality, and great value fashion across womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear.

The sixth largest clothing retailer in the UK by volume, Tu helps customers fulfil their clothing missions everyday by offering everything from a broad range of lingerie, lounge and nightwear, the latest denim fits alongside key fashion pieces, everyday essentials and school wear. Tu also offers a range of specialist sizes with its own brand Petites and Maternity offers, as well as working with selected partners to keep the whole family’s wardrobe updated with fashion that makes you feel good.

Tu is aware of its impact on the world around it and has stretching sustainability targets to achieve, from key raw materials usage to greater transparency in its supply chain – all measured using the Higg Index.

Tu clothing is available to buy online at Tu and Argos as well as in over 400 selected Sainsbury’s stores.