School Shoes - Opinions Please - Shoes or Trainers?

lougle Wouldn't be allowed at our school except in special circumstances like yours due to high ankle

DD1 is going to wear these ankle boots. She's got some problems with her ankles and she's going to a special school, so I doubt they'll be too worried, but as far as I'm concerned they're black, and they're mostly leather. That's good enough.

Most schools will be like that ifonly in my experience. They're generally reasonable if there are issues.

Where schools get annoyed is when people spend a small fortune on branded cool trainers that are designed to be fashionable and somehow (despite being blatantly trainers!) mask as shoes despite being told the rules. Those parents kick off saying 'But I just spent £70 on these shoes and now you're telling me they aren't shoes' and are usually the ones by September 10th in the local press with their moody faces on about how their child's learning is being disputed because the school have placed them in isolation for deliberately ignoring school rules.

First impressions - I'd say trainers. If in any doubt, contact the school, explain you're having problems finding shoes that fit and see what they say. Take a note of who you speak to, so if any issues are raised when she starts you can refer back.

My DD has always been very petite and I struggled to find exactly what the school wanted for a few things. They were really helpful and told me what they would accept as an alternative. They stipulated laces (not velcro) but DD's feet were so small she was still in young kids shoes/trainers and I had no choice - the school happily accepted my argument.

The velcro ones would probably be fine in primary but wouldn't work at secondary though.

As a general rule, if there's a question mark or you think they are trainer styled then they probably aren't ok.

If your child has additional needs, speak to the school first week back and see if they can take it into account. E.g. I have had students with sensory needs who've had some ammendments made to their uniform Eg wearing a top under the shirt, not having to wear a jumper/blazer, flexibility on footwear etc.

Definitely wouldn't be allowed at DD's secondary.

A lot of schools are starting to say, "shoes that can be polished" to solve the argument over trainers/shoes.

Generally trainers/uggs/canvas can't be.

Ds has very small narrow feet (& asd). He began a very strict secondary school wearing these.

www.geox.com/en/back-to-school/jr-william-black-J54E6A00043C9999.html?cgid=hidden-back-to-school-fw17#prefn1=hexadecBasicColor&prefv1=Black&page=1&start=5

They would be acceptable at most primary schools but would be deemed too trainer like at all the secondaries in my area.

Definitely trainers. You'd get a call on the first day of term at my school, asking you to replace them.

I've just bought these for ds starting secondary in sept!
Should I have gone for lace up?

I am sure on threads where children have trouble tying laces I have seen people recommend no-tie laces. Not sure whether they would work with lace up school shoes.

My DS is 16 and whilst not one of the main cool set, he is popular and hangs out with the rocky/band type people - he has long hair etc. He wears velcro shoes (Kickers) mainly because he is ham fisted (possible dispraxia) and I got fed up waiting for him to tie his laces to get out the house. He wears laced trainers so can do it, it's just painful t watch.

I think the original style listed would be fine in DSs school but they aren't that strict to be honest. I'd say they are trainer style shoes.

Dd is about to start secondary school and we have brought these as she had them last year and they lasted the whole school year.

www.marksandspencer.com/kids-freshfeet-leather-brogue-school-shoes-now-available-in-extra-widths-and-half-sizes/p/dsd3ae2c5a38898d982be446f830cabd09?prevPage=plp

Email the link to the school and ask them. If they know if your daughters issues they may make allowances.

IME, girls at secondary tend to wear brogue-style shoes, whether they wear trousers or skirts. I'd look for 'lace alternatives' to replace the laces in them - there are different types available - rather than velcro.

Schools range in strictness so you need someone from your school trousers rally.

That style is popular for primary school boys but would not be accepted at our secondary school. (Some of the lace ups on the second are fine) Velcro wouldn't be socially accepted anyway. (Boy or girl)

My dd wears brogues and my son who's starting y7 will be getting lace ups.

How about a brogue style?

It doesn't matter whether they are trainers or shoes - they are partly made from fabric, and thus would fall foul of that part of the rule.

A few on the whole page would fall foul of the same part of the rule - I find it interesting that the difference between the geox shoes labelled shoes, and those labelled trainers on that page is the area of fabric on those called 'trainers'.

So similar styling, but all-leather, would possibly be OK - though tbh, although I have seen girls in boys' shoes at primary, I have never, ever seen it at secondary.

They are shoes, but made to look like trainers, you couldn't play sport in them