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Original poster

Trouble with new shoes

86 replies

boobyooby · 14/03/2017 19:38

I bought eldest daughter new school shoes last week but her form tutor upon noticing them Friday marched her off to Head of Year and between them they have decided they are not shoes but trainers. She argued back that they were from the school shoe section of shop but form tutor replied of course that's what they will tell you in the shop to get your sale!

They were from the school shoe section Confused
and I've since called up the company making the shoe customer services to ask what they call them. Have code on box and name and they confirmed they are a new range of leather school shoes which I now have from them in writing.

School are adamant they are not shoes but are now calling them pumps not trainers and she was sent out of form again for wearing them and I have spoken to the next person higher than head of year. She insists they break school uniform guidelines as she thinks they are pumps so I've asked her to provide her evidence to claim this and what part of "plain black shoes, must be flat, no glitter or studs" they don't conform too.

Was promised the situation would be resolved by this morning but of course have not heard anything - how do I get a response or how long should I leave it before I take it further to find out why they feel they aren't shoes although I have it in writing they are leather shoes and complain about the teachers attitudes

OP posts:
RakingUpBadMemories · 15/03/2017 09:44

If everyone was wearing Kick Lo patents before, there isn't a lot of difference.

TeenAndTween · 15/03/2017 09:33

Treating your dd as a fibber isn't on. Not many teenagers buy their own school shoes.

Maybe not. But most teenagers would realise that those are quite different from what the majority wear and therefore may well not be acceptable...

museumum · 15/03/2017 09:33

Also, they're ideal for a two mile walk home.
School should not be encouraging "dress" shoes for all-day wear including active travel.

museumum · 15/03/2017 09:32

They are shoes. If they weren't shiney they'd be what female police officers wear!

fairweathercyclist · 15/03/2017 09:29

I don't think they would be permitted at my son's school.

It's all in the heel.

However, the school should accept it was an error. You can't be expected to go and buy new shoes. And they need to put out very clear guidelines on what is acceptable and not acceptable, which my son's school has which is how I know these would not be.

Treating your dd as a fibber isn't on. Not many teenagers buy their own school shoes.

Lancelottie · 15/03/2017 09:28

Oh, I've taken to preemptively emailing school about this sort of thing already, Pertunia. DD has triangular feet and whacking great orthotic insoles so she needs shoes with full laces, very wide at the toes, and good heel depth: 'Trainers would be ideal', to quote her orthotics chappie.

So I tend to whizz a quick and somewhat disingenuous email to school saying 'We've found these monstrosities, nearest I can get to plain black flats with removable insoles, could you let me know quickly if that will be a problem as DD is already embarrassed about the wretched things? Otherwise I'd better order them in so we have them in good time.'

On the rare occasions that anyone's read the message, they've tended to say 'That's fine, and we'll try not to embarrass DD further.'

Frankly, though, I wish schools would stop fussing about footwear, unless they are prepared to specify 'Hardwearing and practical for walking home' as the main criterion.

PertuniaPerpetualMotion · 15/03/2017 08:54

We're still at the primary school stage but I'm really not looking forward to the pedantry that seems to go along with school shoes at secondary.

DS's boring black Velcro "school section" clarks could be considered trainers by some, it just seems to be what is made by the manufacturers!

Do parents really have to contact the school to check shoes are acceptable? Maybe if schools were inundated with requests they would relax a little!

And in answer to you post: shoes. Grin

Lancelottie · 15/03/2017 08:44

Is the rule for 'shoe' then that the sole must have a separate heel?

Doesn't that contradict the 'flat' part of the instruction?

TeenAndTween · 15/03/2017 08:38

They wouldn't be allowed at DDs school. The guidelines specifically state something like 'not all shoes in the school shoes section are permissible. Ask for formal school shoes. If in doubt contact school before purchasing'.

OP. Those shoes will come in handy after school. Buy a replacement pair that meets the rules, and keep those for when she needs to be more formal out of school.

Broken11Girl · 14/03/2017 21:36

Those are shoes. I had similar, no issue.

Original poster
boobyooby · 14/03/2017 21:35

There is no way they'd be allowed for PE, no black trainers either Grin

I'll report back tomorrow when the dep head rings!

Did warn you they were practical and sturdy - she leaves this summer but think these will march on for a few years!!

OP posts:
troutsprout · 14/03/2017 21:35

They are actually like a shoe version of a trainer/ pump. But my initial impression is trainer
I don't think Dd would get away with them at her school either.

MiniMum97 · 14/03/2017 21:30

Definitely send her to PE in them. That would be hilarious! Stand your ground, schools are so bloody annoying (and inconsistent!!) with things like this.

MiniMum97 · 14/03/2017 21:27

Shoes. They look like DMs to me. Definitely shoes.

Gileswithachainsaw · 14/03/2017 21:14

Look like shoes to me...

noblegiraffe · 14/03/2017 21:14

That would get past the shoe police at my school although possibly not the fashion police. The problem we have is with girls wearing flimsy ballet pumps, at least those look sturdy.

iMatter · 14/03/2017 21:11

They are shoes.

Not trainers.

Original poster
boobyooby · 14/03/2017 21:07

Daughter has confirmed that is them, I thought the sole looked a bit thinner

OP posts:
GlacindaTheTroll · 14/03/2017 21:06

The shoes in the pic aren't the footwear in question.

OP says her DD's are similar, but with a different sole. So we're still in the dark, really

Iamastonished · 14/03/2017 21:00

They look like shoes to me.

BikeRunSki · 14/03/2017 20:59

Those are shoes!

DailyMailFuckRightOff · 14/03/2017 20:56

The ones in the picture are shoes, but you said the ones your daughter has are slightly different? So we still can't really judge.

zeeboo · 14/03/2017 20:53

I can't believe anyone can look at those and see trainers! They are clearly DM shoes. I can't even get my head round this, the school and the people on the this thread. They're bloody shoes!!!!

LynetteScavo · 14/03/2017 20:52

Is she allowed to wear black trainers for PE?

I'd be tempted to send her with these shoes for PE and see what the PE teacher says.

MissFenella · 14/03/2017 20:52

they are DMs of course they are shoes.

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