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Original poster

PE Uniform

37 replies

rachyrob · 28/05/2011 17:25

DD is due to start year 9 in Sept and we've just had guidelines on the changes to the PE kit.

One thing that is bothering her is that there will be a requirement to do some indoor PE barefoot which is really bothering her.

Is it common for indoor PE at secondary school to be done with bare feet and is it unusual for teens to worry about that?

OP posts:
marriedinwhite · 16/07/2011 09:02

I think the responses have been very dismissive. I had to do PE barefoot at sccondary school (because of the quality of the wooden floor); I hadn't at primary. I am now 50 years old and have some perspective. The reason I hated it was because I have very sensitive feet; there is no way I can walk on a pebble or a shingly beach. Actually, it used to hurt and there was certainly no way I could have balanced on a narrow bar or climbed a rope without plimsoles on. LauraClin, your attitude to this sums up my experience of PE teachers - complete lack of understanding for any child who may not fit your view or be able to do sport.

Please provide the reasons why it is mandatory to do PE barefoot and why you think schools should demand it. I thought things had moved on a bit but since my DD went to secondary school they clearly haven't.

LauraClin · 15/07/2011 15:52

Good point! After all, there are far worse things that can happen than having to take off your shoes and tights for an hour!

dramafluff · 14/07/2011 09:37

I have to say my approach would be a shrug of the shoulders and 'I understand darling, but that's the way it is - oh dear, there's nothing I can do'.

LauraClin · 12/07/2011 16:28

Just bumping this. Have you spoken to your daughter, rachyrob?

LauraClin · 08/07/2011 16:39

Also meant to ask if she has no experience of PE in bare feet before, for example at primary school?

LauraClin · 08/07/2011 16:18

Writing as a PE teacher, I would have expected that the school demanded bare feet for gym and dance before now. But it clearly is an issue for your daughter; perhaps talk to her about it being very common, and the fact that her classmates will all be busy doing their exercises and will not be looking at her feet! Does she do PE in mixed or single sex lessons - sometimes girls are more sensitive about appearance etc in front of boys.

JenJ1 · 06/06/2011 18:19

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Original poster
rachyrob · 29/05/2011 19:23

I think she is just being a teenager tbh!!!!

I'm not sure I want to encourage her to break the rules, just comply with them!
I agree that once she sees the rest of her class barefoot it will be easier for her - we did dance and gym barefoot at school and I wasn't too keen but once you see it is the norm you are not so bothered

OP posts:
DeWe · 29/05/2011 11:41

I used to hate going barefoot, but it was standard for gym. Suggest send her in with a note saying that she has verrucas or some sort of contageous fungal infection and get some ballet shoes that she can wear. I don't think they'd have problems with ballet shoes. Pumps are a problem if others are bare foot as they're firm. If you're buying ballet shoes then you get about 2 sizes bigger than your standard shoes size.
When she sees everyone else is barefoot then she'll probably be fine about it.

Original poster
rachyrob · 29/05/2011 08:40

I did speak to her about this and the reply was she is "shy of her feet"

I do recall when I was a teen I was never keen on having to get my feet out in public - not sure how to tackle it!!

OP posts:
Gunfleetsands · 28/05/2011 18:16

At DD's secondary school Dance and Gymnastics are done with bare feet (indoors). DD not bothered by the barefoot bit but has picked up verrucas and also rubbed a large blister.

Perhaps your DD is concerned about verrucas?

kakapo · 28/05/2011 18:11

we did indoor PE barefoot, i think dance and gymnastics (not too many years ago!). what is bothering your DD about it specifically? could you contact the school, find out why it's done barefoot and explain to your DD? She might come around if she's given a good reason - assuming there is one. If there's not, maybe the school will let people wear pumps?

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