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Original poster

Help me parse "school shoes" vs. trainers

133 replies

ysette9 · 31/08/2025 15:07

As a new parent newly moved to the UK, I appreciate these forums as a source of advice. My oldest is starting Year 7 and we are parsing the uniform policy. I've never experienced a shoe policy other than "wear something you can safely run and play in", so figuring out what is considered school shoes is a bit mysterious.

I looked at the example images the school provided of acceptable footwear, and it is a collection of horrifyingly ugly and horrifyingly uncomfortable/disfiguring torture devices. I want their feet to be in foot-shaped, flexible, flat shoes to promote balance and proper development. I found these shoes that seem to fit the bill, but my spouse is concerned they look too "trainer-like". Neither of us can determine what a trainer is or is not. I know the decision is ultimately up to the judges at school, but I'd love your collective input to help educate me.

These are the shoes: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187473076260 I blacked out the edges to make it more subtle. I'll see if I can figure a way to add an attachment to this post with the actual photos.

OP posts:
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BeachLife2 · 03/09/2025 12:14

Aside from the uniform issue, I cannot understand why anyone would put their DC in a pair of ugly second hand trainers from eBay.

They are absolutely hideous and no one else will be wearing anything like them.

BeachLife2 · 03/09/2025 12:13

@RosesAndHellebores

The problem is learning cannot take place if behaviour is out or control.

That happens if rules are not enforced and students think they can do as they please. Just look at some Ofsted reports for inadequate schools to see the consequences.

It is no coincidence that almost all top state schools have strict rules in all areas, including uniform.

SomeOfTheTrouble · 03/09/2025 12:10

sashh · 03/09/2025 11:46

Because all the reasons school specify no trainers (cost, bullying etc) are all still the same in a PE class.

Show quote history

But obviously they need to wear trainers in PE? I’m confused as to what you think they would wear instead?

sashh · 03/09/2025 11:46

SomeOfTheTrouble · 03/09/2025 10:28

Ironically the same school that demands 'no trainers' for shoes often require them for sport

Why is that ironic? Of course trainers are required for sport. It’s normal for different shoes to be worn for different things. I wear different shoes to go to work in than I do to go for a run.

Because all the reasons school specify no trainers (cost, bullying etc) are all still the same in a PE class.

SomeOfTheTrouble · 03/09/2025 10:28

Ironically the same school that demands 'no trainers' for shoes often require them for sport

Why is that ironic? Of course trainers are required for sport. It’s normal for different shoes to be worn for different things. I wear different shoes to go to work in than I do to go for a run.

sashh · 03/09/2025 10:26

And I have just seen your update.

clary · 03/09/2025 10:23

@sashh and no canvas.

I am still intrigued that @ysette9 doesn‘t know what trainers are (and not just what will a school class as trainers, which is a very reasonable query and one I am sure most of us have come up against). I can fully understand if they usually call them something else (like a PP I also know the term "runners" for example – I need some new runners etc) but I infer from the OP's posts that they are entirely unfamiliar with the concept of the trainer as a shoe at all. Not meaning to be snidey (it's hard to hear ToV online) but I am genuinely interested.

sashh · 03/09/2025 10:18

RosesAndHellebores · 31/08/2025 16:58

Not the point of the thread, but wouldn't it be great if school teachers and their leadership teams focused in stretching intellect, strong and sensible pastoral care and educational excellence rather than the shoes worn with the polyester monstrosities so well branded.

WTF does it matter if a shoe is trad or trainer like or even an ankle boot. Surely what matters is whether young people are learning and comfortable.

Which is why I prefer teaching in an FE college rather than a school.

OP

Trainers / training shoes are just that, things you wear when exercising or playing sport. Ironically the same school that demands 'no trainers' for shoes often require them for sport.

I think a PP who mentioned brogues is on the right track.

The school will usually say 'polishable', they are not expecting the child to polish their shoes, what they actually mean is no suede.

RosesAndHellebores · 03/09/2025 09:56

clary · 02/09/2025 09:28

It's a grammatical term meaning to work out what each part of the sentence is - verb, conjunction etc.

I think the op means they want to understand what is meant by trainers and hoe they differ from school.shoes.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes, it's quite a niche term which my MIL, a former deputy head uses. I find the use of the term parse and the use of the term kid to be somewhat conflicting.

LIZS · 03/09/2025 09:47

Or perhaps the school have noted the non-compliance and will enforce in coming days

Original poster
ysette9 · 03/09/2025 09:28

Thank you to all who took the time to provide input, helpful and otherwise. The first day of school went fine and no mention was made of the shoes one way or the other. The kid finds them comfortable, and they are leather and a quality brand, so they should last until her feet grow out of them.

To those who kindly expressed concern, I can assure you the shoes' soles are pristine, so they are in excellent condition despite a few creases seen due to nature of the shoes being leather.

My kid came home from the first day wondering about the emphasis placed verbally from school staff about the importance of strictly following all rules, including those about the uniform. While watching the drop off this morning I was interested to see how many kids had elements that were non-compliant with the uniform policy. Perhaps the bark is worse than the bite? We'll learn with time.

Happy back to school to everyone.

OP posts:
SomeOfTheTrouble · 02/09/2025 11:52

BeachLife2 · 02/09/2025 10:59

You say you want your DC to be comfortable and yet have trawled eBay to find a random pair of second-hand trainers 🙄.

Just buy a pair of smart black school shoes like everyone else and stop with the histrionics.

Agreed. When a kid starts a new school, I think the thing that makes them feel most comfortable is fitting in. Not being made to wear second hand shoes with bits coloured in with a Sharpie.

BeachLife2 · 02/09/2025 10:59

You say you want your DC to be comfortable and yet have trawled eBay to find a random pair of second-hand trainers 🙄.

Just buy a pair of smart black school shoes like everyone else and stop with the histrionics.

clary · 02/09/2025 09:28

minishiteboard · 02/09/2025 06:51

What does parse mean

It's a grammatical term meaning to work out what each part of the sentence is - verb, conjunction etc.

I think the op means they want to understand what is meant by trainers and hoe they differ from school.shoes.

BabyCatFace · 02/09/2025 06:52

ysette9 · 31/08/2025 15:16

I am no longer able to edit the original message.

School policy wording is as follows:

"Plain black polishable school shoes. Laces and stitching must be black. No trainers, Velcro, boots or fabric shoes. No Vans or boots. No trimmings i.e., buckles, labels, tags or decorations. "

Shoe images included below.

Your child won't thank you for buying those. Just get a pair of shoes from the list.

minishiteboard · 02/09/2025 06:51

What does parse mean

FastIser · 31/08/2025 21:43

RosesAndHellebores · 31/08/2025 15:32

Can you honestly not just buy a pair of traditional black leather lace-ups like the ones below, sans angst and mewling. Once he's settled in have a recce about what everyone else wears.

www.startriteshoes.com/products/dylan-black-leather-boys-lace-up-school-shoes?_gl=11tgtm3i_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5c_FBhDJARIsAIcmHK__AFCZL5CT6PfMH-ux4P2vlPVfyOjGL3PEBUc8aHlSrQQTf3wpxu0aApsdEALw_wcB

Sans angst and mewling? Goodness, you worked on that, non?

OP - good luck with the shoes, UK school uniform rules can be crazy.

Yourethebeerthief · 31/08/2025 21:41

We buy Froddo brand barefoot school shoes

eggandonion · 31/08/2025 21:32

Trainers are called runners in Ireland.
At primary school here my kids had tracksuits worn with runners on pe and drama days. On other days it was uniform with school shoes with the added complication of non marking soles. I had 3 kids to dress correctly 5 days a week. I had notes in my diary...

Ncforthiscms · 31/08/2025 20:41

My tween has 2 pairs. They are ridiculously comfortable.

CaroleLandis · 31/08/2025 20:38

How old is the child as I don’t know any child alive that would wear those hideously fugly barefoot shoes no matter how comfortable they are?

usedtobeaylis · 31/08/2025 20:21

What a palaver for a pair of shoes.

Lady1576 · 31/08/2025 20:13

RosesAndHellebores · 31/08/2025 18:52

@Lady1576 has nobody ever taught the teachers that socks should be the same or a darker colour than the shoes 😀. I loved the class my children's teachers brought to the table.

Ooh that’s a new one to me 😃 I shall pass in this wisdom!

friskery · 31/08/2025 20:06

My eldest goes to a similarly strict secondary and basically any shoe that is comfortable or practical is banned.

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