To think that if the school uniform states black shoes the kids should be wearing black shoes?

Primaries can't enforce uniform rules, legally, can they? They can have uniforms and request that you buy uniforms but they can't sanction children for not following.

So the school is correct.

Up to you what you do in this situation. You can either choose to follow it or not. Depends on how important it is to you personally. If it's important to you, crack on spending money on school shoes and arguing with your kids. If it's not important to you, let them wear trainers and save yourself some money and aggravation.

It all changes at secondary anyway.

Ah, the British school uniform fetish on full display here. You have been well and truly brainwashed.

We're talking about a primary school child here ffs.

Your child will always push back on rules. Tell them two wrongs don’t make a right and stand firm.

this bothers me so much with schools. my sons school has a uniform but they are not fussy about it (we are new to the school). told sons teacher that he is wearing normal shoes as needs new school shoes and can he wear a long sleeve top under his polo and teacher said he doesn’t mind. he said children are there to learn and he doesn’t care so much for the uniform. it’s brilliant. the children all still look smart but most importantly they are happy and feel supported

That might well be the case.

But the OP's school has a uniform and school are sending letters asking parents to adhere to it. It's not hard to adhere to. There are no financial excuses either - if socks are a financial issue, then buy black and white only so there's nothing else (my DS only owns black ones actually). And ditto shoes. Kids need shoes so just buy them in black.

In which case I would let them where what they want. Sound like a reasonable school.

I wish schools didn’t have uniform. Most countries don’t have them. Once you have been to a school without a uniform you realise that all the arguments in favour of having them are total nonsense. The actual reason we still have them is because people are resistant to change.

Fair point.
That will.be a small number of children

Simple uniform, well enforced, is one of the best tools for social cohesion at school, it can also provide a safe boundary for kids to push against (which is healthy!) but if you keep letting that boundary go, then they have to find something more to push against.

It's absolutely ridiculous that schools can't, won't, or don't enforce uniform. If they can't get the simple stuff right, what else are they letting go.

It's not a fashion show and simple uniform keeps it equitable and affordable for everyone.

YANBU

It sounds as if everyone is equally free to ignore that part of the uniform rule? I certainly wouldn't support one child being told off for wearing shoes that don't strictly meet the code while another is not, but I don't see why you don't just send her in trainers like everyone else.

My son's school has the same rule and it is likewise ignored.

Some children needs special foot splints, and these are really hard to get into stiff leather shoes, so the compromise agreed with school is usually plain black trainers as these are more accommodating.
My daughter gets ankle pain due to hypermobility and on bad days will wear plan black trainers, school are aware and happy for her to do so.

Like I say, for some they will be rule breakers, some will have other reasons, only one of which being adapted shoes. My response was to OP stating it WAS her business to know DCs specific reasons, it is not.The school are aware as they mention it termly, you have two choices OP. Follow the rule and advise your DC that they are fortunate that they can and should follow the rule. Or break the rule, and accept any consequences you DC faces as a result and support the school with the consequences(as the other parents of rule breakers should do).

It would be if I was asking about a specific child but in the general sense it isn't.

This is nothing to do with medical grounds. It's about a policy that isn't being fairly enforced to the detriment of OPs DD, because OP is following the role the school isn't enforcing. It's absolute nonsense to suggest that all of the other collagen in a class of 30 are wearing specially adapted shoes but available in black. That might apply for a small minority, but not all of them.

OP talk to the school

Again, other people's shoes are not your business.

In the words of my teen “it’s not that deep”

Speak to the staff.
Is it uniform? Do they want black shoes?
If so, you be the rule maker of the house.
No kid goes to school without being dressed in school uniform.
Never give in. Don't allow the uniform issue to be part of your every morning discussion.

Maybe the kids you see are just finishing off their Phys.Ed lesson and are wearing their runners for that reason..

Because we’re social creatures and clothing has a big impact on social cohesion, feelings of belonging, signals about who we are and how interested we are in fitting in etc. So the clothing choices of others will have an impact on OP’s DD, both in the way she thinks about herself and in the way others see her.

It's an irrelevant genuine question, if it doesn't concern you or your child.

Nope, I reminding OP that other children's shoes are not her business.

It was a genuine question.

It was a genuine question.

Quoted wrong post.

And that would be understandable if it was a few children, it's highly unlikely that 29 out of 30 children all have specialist NHS shoes that don't come in black. OP isn't going to ask why the other collagen after wearing the shoes they are, just if it's ok for her daughter to wear trainers too

You're being obtuse, it isn't about the other children's shoes, it's about the school having a policy they don't seem to enforce. There's a girl in DS' class who was wearing bright pink and white flashing Barbie trainers for a few days, the school told her it's not appropriate. The mum is all over the WhatsApp group bleating about it.
There are some children in plain black trainers which they seem to be ok with. The policy says plain black school shoes. So it's ok to query that with the school if that's not what you're seeing.