AIBU to think schools should not allow students to wear black trainers all day, every day?

Great idea. This is a stupid thing kids end up in isolation for.

This sounds great - with there be provision for football type shorts when it's hot? But otherwise yeah well done your school, so much comfier, more practical and budget friendly!

As for the trainers question, as someone who was mid teens when the dolly shoe/ballet flat thing was all the rage, trainers are definitely a massive improvement for foot health and development!

YABU. What on earth

I really dislike 'post and run' threads, but I think yabu for all the reasons already stated

Trainers are generally much, much better for feet than smart leather shoes. As someone who had to walk two miles to school and back every day as a kid, I'd have been a lot more comfortable and had much healthier feet if I'd been able to wear trainers.

Trainers aren't more expensive than leather shoes. They vary tremendously in price, like any other shoe.

There is no 'drop in standards' provided the child is adhering to school rules. 'Standards' are about adhering to the expectations of one's environment, and the expectation has been set that trainers are allowed.

Lastly, the school is allowing pupils to wear trainers. It isn't forcing them. If you don't want your kids to wear trainers, don't buy them trainers and send them to school in ordinary shoes. Your children aren't being forced to wear trainers; they're simply being offered a choice.

They're the best option imo ... have no idea what OP is on about

Trainers are usually more comfortable. supportive and hard-wearing than traditional school shoes, especially girls' shoes. The only time they wouldn't be if a child's feet are so exceptionally narrow that they just slide around in trainers. I don't see it as an issue with "standards" either. If the school requires trainers then it is setting a standard. It may not align perfectly with your own values but it is still a standard.

@Lilyladles I can see your point re expense. Shoes are just plain black run of the mill, pretty much any will do. But trainers, school kids like to keep up with the latest fashion and be like all their friends or at least not to stand-out as wearing a cheapo pair that will get them laughed at. These can cost around £150. I know as I’ve bought my son these types of trainers as his Christmas present for the last two years. I’m just grateful he has to wear shoes at school and the trainers are for socialising only.

YABU - its not bad for their feet at all - much better than ill fitting formal shoes and a lot more comfortable. In terms of 'standards' that is ridiculous. Classing black trainers as somehow a lower standard is just snobby.

Wearing trainers presents no detriment to their learning ability at all - if anything, it will improve it if they are more comfortable!

Another plop and run post, ok then…

There’s nothing wrong with trainers all day.
They generally last longer and look better than leather or fake leather shoes.
They give better foot support and are more comfy.
Not having to buy a pair of shoes just for school actually saves money.
No child looks smart within about 5 minutes of putting on a school uniform, regardless of their age or the components. They are agents of chaos and that should be respected.

However I suspect you are merely here for the clicks. Ah well.

Black trainers are fine.

More comfortable, generally better wearing etc and most importantly you can get a pair of generic black trainers from sports direct etc for way less than you can a pair of leather school shoes.

My youngest was hard on shoes by the time she was in secondary,she wore black trainers usually the leather Sketchers,

My DD's high school allow any shoe or trainer as long as it is completely black, which I think is very sensible. Then kids can choose what suits them best.

And they've just announced a consultation on relaxing the rest of the school uniform. If it goes ahead, they will basically wear the PE polo shirt, a jumper and joggers/leggings. Hard wearing, comfy and practical. I think its a great idea.

My child’s feet were ruined by ‘formal’ shoes. Now at college where trainers are obviously what everyone wears, her feet are gradually getting back to normalcy. I’d have welcomed trainers at school. Much more hard wearing, supportive and generally better for feet! I don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day, so I don’t know why we expect children to do it! It’s unhealthy and causes all kinds of problems.

My kids have big/ wide feet and their school
shoes cost me an absolute fortune this year, way more than we spend on trainers. Primary school was plain black trainers and I much preferred it. I also don’t understand why trainers would be bad for their feet. Edited to add you also then don’t need to buy school shoes and trainers, and the trainers can also be worn outside of school. So definitely not more expensive.

Mine used to wear out shoes so often that I thought "sod this" and let her wear trainers. I just make sure they are branded so they last longer.

I used to think that until my DC started wearing Nike airforce trainers for school and they are so hardwearing and comfortable

Shoes get scuffed up to.
Secondary school uniform is pretty crap. At least let them have comfortable shoes.

Why are they nore expensive/worse for their feet. You don't have to put them in AF1's, there are lots of reasonably priced black trainers.

The girls grammar near us (one of the top schools in the country) wears black trainers, and they look smart and comfortable

They're hard wearing. Wearing trainers doesn't affect their ability to learn. Kids are probably more comfortable.

This sounds really sensible. I'm not a fan of uniform in general but if there is one, black trainers sounds way better than any of the other options.

Trainers are absolutely fine for feet, good supportive shoes tend to cost more, and they are really just black shoes the standards are fine, you can get whatever shoes you feel is appropriate for your own child.

Many parents are living payday to payday, some because of poor financial management perhaps, but a great many in or near poverty. If children can have footwear that does not have to be solely for school, no bad thing.

YABVU
It’s a positive.
Trainers are much more comfortable and far better for your feet. Particularly ones with thick spongy soles and an instep.

Some school shoes are made from thin rigid uncomfortable leather or plastic and some girls shoes are completely flat with no instep, which is so bad for feet.

My son wears all black Skechers every day to school. They work for him. I’ve noticed that most medical staff I’ve dealt with who are on their feet for long periods wear something similar: New Balance or Skechers.

My daughter switched from trainers to shoes this year and ended up with sore feet and blisters!