To send DD to year 7 in Mary Janes

My dd’s school has same uniform policy as yours op. She was in y7 last year and had these. (Velcro Mary Jane’s similar to yours but slimmer with a patent tip). She’s very fashion conscious and never even mentioned her shoes, wore these all year. Having said that, she doesn’t have a lot of choice at a narrow size 8 which excludes the majority of brands.

this year she’s gone for these.

OP I can’t see an issue with those shoes. My DD is just about to start at a ‘hard no to any trainers/brands etc’ type of school (and they definitely enforce it). She nearly went for a Mary Jane style but in the end decided on lace up brogues. However when we looked round the school I looked at what the girls were wearing and there were a fair few in the Mary Jane style.

Most children learn how to adapt their speech to their audience. Mine call me ‘mumma’ at home but wouldn’t call me that around their friends.

From what you've said about your Dds new school I think she'll be fine in those.

I went to a proper school shoes school. I have small feet. I had velcro school shoes in years 7-8 and maybe yr9 I think because I had outgrown buckles and as a dyspraxic I didn't want pesky laces! I was definitely unusual but it was fine. I certainly never got bullied or teased for them. I eventually got a pair of penny loafer type shoes from Clarks- they were very comfy. Maybe your Dd will find these more to her liking in a year or two.

What's the reason

Its to remove competition over who has the "right" nike air force etc (those brands include very expensive styles). Its much easier to inclusive and remove fashion choices if you only allow boring smart black leather shoes. It becomes something that is not an issue and all the kids look tidy.

Baffled that so many schools allow a) trainers b) brands.

At every school in our area you cannot wear anything branded whatsoever and nothing remotely like trainers. Its extremely effective in removing issues over who has the "right"shoes - the girls all wear either brogues or mary janes (dms not allowed) the boys either plain black lace ups or loafers.

I teach secondary- those shoes will be absolutely fine. I see lots of girls in similar styles.

I hope she enjoys starting her new school!

This post has reminded me of being bought t-bar Mary Jane's for year 6 and crying bitterly at being made to wear baby shoes. I was absolutely distraught 🤣

I actually think the pair she's picked are quite smart, and if she's comfortable then so much the better. I'm sure they won't even be noticed with dark socks

My DD goes to a good state comp and they all wear Nike Air Force 1s in plain black. I don’t think they’re very smart but they’re allowed so that’s what they do - a child in Mary Janes might feel that they stick out. Check the norm at the school before you buy

That’s really annoying. And silly really - the school my child is going to is rated one of the best top 5 state schools in England. Smart black trainers are fine. Clearly doesn’t effect their results 🤣

That was my first thought too!

Agree with this…I don’t think anybody wears ‘proper’ shoes in our school.

I prefer it - Nikes definitely last longer.

You're making yourself look a bit thick.

@ItsHellOrHighwater was just answering the OP's question and it is very clear to anyone with a small amount of reading comprehension that she absolutely doesn't support the culture around wearing the right shoes.

They’d be unheard of at our school.
The girls wear these or the M&S version
https://www.kickers.co.uk/youth-womens-tovni-lacer-leather-alternative-patent-leather-black/13891569.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=feed&affil=thggps&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=13891768&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK+-+Kickers+-+Pmax+-+BTS&utm_term=&utm_content=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20316363105&gbraid=0AAAAADiNwZXY_gxYIUmskQcKTfcOo80Ci&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrKy5346yjwMVB5hQBh3jiQutEAQYDCABEgKLQfD_BwE

Mine just wear the same ones.

The better schools around here don't allow trainers and are really strict about it, we live by a girls' grammar and see lots of Mary Janes and loafers, skirts are a kilt type so harder to roll up. shirts are usually tucked in on the way in, different on the way home.

There is a non selective school a mile in the other direction and you see girls in leggings, everyone in trainers, no blazers just sweatshirts. They are Ofsted inadequate and their last report said there is an inherent problem with student aggression and violence. I think they have bigger fish to fry than uniform tbh.

A similar school across town near to where I work got taken over three years ago by one of those academy trusts, lots of sad face local news stories about Jonny not being able to wear his trainers anymore, them not allowing phones in class , parents refusing to send their children to detention because they hadn't done homework etc. The trust that took over have a reputation for being quite firm with rules. They have just had their first Ofsted good rating and this year the GCSE results were markedly better than they've ever been before. I think it's an interesting correlation.

DS calls me Mummy and he is off to university next month. We discussed it about 5 years ago and he said that Mummy was my name, why would he change it? He refers to us as his mum and dad, or his parents. I don't see the problem.

My ds has black leather NB for school shoes and lighter weight fabric Nike for PE. He walks 20,000 steps a day incl 35 mins each way so I would not want hi. In “dress” shoes.

Agree with other posters that it's a bit area / school specific so would be good to ask somebody at the school if poss.

But DD is just about to start Yr12, she had these in Yr7, about half the year did and the other half brogues. Secondary school has been a bit brutal in parts but don't think shoes were ever a focus of any meanness! Totally feel for you though, we were also so anxious about getting Yr7 right - don't want them to be lambs to the slaughter!

(Comments here about it being the adults and stamping it out is very naive...and if you're fortunate enough to never had your child sobbing at the hands of some little **hole lucky you...if you have and you can prevent or resolve it with something simple like a pair of shoes you'll jump at the chance not take the moral high ground!)

I think one of the most important things is SHE likes them and SHE feels confident and happy going into school. It sounds like this is the case which is great.

Wishing her and you lots of luck for starting "big school"! Hope it goes really well for her.

My just turned 11 DD also wearing velcro mary janes. About 50% of the y6 girls wore the exact same style last year and hers still fit so haven't even thought about changing them yet. Starting y7 bad enough without having to break in new shoes. I'll prob switch to lace ups in Oct half term as she will have to walk to school in rain and will need more coverage.

She's a size 5 with super skinny feet though so we dont have much choice and def no slip ons as they dont fit.