Free second-hand school uniform in Essex

We all know that school uniform can be expensive, with prices rising with every growth spurt. In fact, parents must pay £442 on average for secondary school uniform. Luckily, there are volunteers across Essex that are here to help cut the back-to-school costs. 

In Essex, there are several second-hand school uniform banks offering uniform for free or at a low cost. These uniform banks provide a range of items, from blazers to shirts, skirts, and sometimes even Christmas jumpers! 

We have collated a list of school uniform banks below. If you cannot find a uniform bank near you, speak to your children’s school’s PTA as they might run one themselves. 

• Canvey Island School Uniform Bank 
  • open each Thursday from 10am to 2pm 
  • Community Suite of Castle View School, Foksville Rd, Canvey Island SS8 7FH
• Clacton School Uniform Bank 
  • weekly opening times:  
    • Monday 10am to 1pm 
    • Wednesday 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm 
    • Friday 10am to 1pm 
    • Saturday 9am to 12pm 
  • 14A St John's Rd, Great Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 4BP 
• Essex Free School Uniform 
  • 7 St Peters Court, Colchester 
• Harlow Community School Uniform Exchange  
  • open every Monday and Wednesday 10am to 2pm. Items cost between 50p and £3 
  • Harvey Centre Approach, Harlow, CM20 1XR
• Laindon School Uniform Bank 
  • next opening dates: Saturday 4 and 18 October 2025 
  • Manor Mission Church, Manor Rd, Laindon, Basildon SS15 6PA 
• Pitsea School Uniform Bank 
  • next opening dates: Monday 13 and 20 October 2025, doors open 10am
  • Chalvedon Community Centre and Social Club, Chalvedon Square, SS13 3PB 
• The Hive - Basildon United Reformed Church pre-loved uniform shop 
  • open every Wednesday morning 9:30am to 12pm 
  • The Hive, 6 Honeypot Lane. Basildon. SS14 2JZ
• Tiptree Community Hub 
  • weekly opening times:  
    • Monday 10am to 12pm
    • Tuesday 6.30pm to 8pm
    • Thursday 6pm to 7.30pm
    • Friday 11am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 4.30pm
    • Sunday 11.30am to 1pm
  • Unit 4, 20 Station Road CO5 0AD 

Well done to the amazing volunteers working to support families in Essex. You make a big difference in our community! 

If there are any more pre-loved school uniform banks we could add to the list, please message us on Instagram or Facebook.