Help me parse "school shoes" vs. trainers

I wish those examples were extreme but they are just two kids from my actual reception class last year. Those converse were my nemesis. I also had one whose coat was an all in one affair that he had to take his shoes off to put on. He must have spent over an hour a day just taking his all in one coat on and off.

I’m not a big supporter of ridiculous school uniform rules but some people just seem to be incapable of making clothing choices for their children that are appropriate for the situation.

Schools need to move the fuck on with trainers. Really.

@BetweenTwoFerns they don't seem to have issues in France where there is largely no school uniform.

You have provided extreme examples by the way. I'd have no issue with a non toilet trained neuro typical child being sent home until they were toilet trained.

But seriously I pass local children in their uniforms. Polyester blazers, ankle socks, ballerina shoes, above the knee skirts. They look hideous. They would look much better in jeans, t shirt, hoody and trainers. The whole thing is an utter nonsense.

Providing shoes are low heeled or flat why does it matter if they are trainers or leather lace-ups?

Happy Little Soles have a decent range of barefoot friendly school shoes, for examples

The thing is, they wools be able to concentrate on educational excellence if the children were just dressed appropriately in the first place but unfortunately some parents don’t seem to be able to make decisions that support their children just being able to go to school and get on with learning. That’s how you end up with a child who isn’t toilet trained in super tight skinny jeans and a button fly and one who wants to go on a trampoline wearing converse that they can’t get on and off.

Girls Finja Brogue Youth Black Leather Brogues | Clarks UK https://share.google/O2VYNoKp6nEDLqv0i

I think "polishable" is the key word there. You can't polish a trainer.

Trainer is just British for sneakers if that helps.

What's causing confusion is absolutely everyone of all ages (including the 80 somethings in my choir!) wears trainers 90% of the time these days, so schools are increasingly out of step with the general population.

They need to be made of leather basically.

Clarks do some brogue type ones that have served my tomboyish DD well for years and she happily plays football in. I'll try to find a picture.

@Fitzcarraldo353they wouldn’t be allowed at our school.

@ysette9no trainers allowed at our school. My boys have to wear the type of shoes that you would expect men in offices to wear with suits. UK schools are often quite strict over uniform. So if it’s no trainers, it will be nothing that looks like trainers. I will be honest and say that those shoes you have linked are not likely to be popular with year 7 boys so if you send him in with them he is likely to be the only one.

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.

My child’s school wants all black shoes or trainers inc stitches and labels, so I use a marker pen (Sharpie style) to colour in labels and stitches, which can help if buying Dr Martens with yellow stitching.
mine currently wears Cat chelsea style boots.

I remember showing a child what I meant by ‘school shoes’ and he said ‘oh! Funeral shoes’.
He then told his mum he needed funeral shoes.
Noone at home knew the difference between trainers and shoes.
Luckily (?!?!) he had funeral shoes at home. All good.

If it's a UK school many of the staff go back for training days tomorrow so you could email the school and check with them.

We got these ones for DS which are M&S school shoes but the description does describe them as trainer-like and they probably wouldn't pass in many schools. Ours will be fine with them

https://www.marksandspencer.com/kids-lace-up-leather-school-shoes-13-small-9-large-/p/clp60676595?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

I’m afraid that I think they are trainers. They also have a logo. Aside from being well-worn.

Head to John Lewis website, filter boys school
shoes, filter to laces, and that’s what you need to buy. Proper shoes. They don’t need to be uncomfortable, they can be properly fitted.

If you’re new to the UK you’ll need to know that uniform is about conforming and it doesn’t matter if you agree or not, or it’s uncomfortable, or the rules seem daft (eg our school has real issues about sock height; not knee, not ankle, not mid-calf….) You just need to follow them without looking for loopholes. Once you’re settled in you can see what can perhaps flex and what they’re strict about.

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/kids-school-shoes/older-girls-school-shoes/s_oldergirls_uk-c this gives you some idea of what styles might typically be acceptable, although they may want polishable leather not patent.

They are trainers. Leather trainers but trainers non the less. After he’s been there a few weeks he will be able to see from the other kids if he would be able to wear them but you don’t want to send him on the first day of high schoolers in shoes he isn’t allowed to wear.

My kids also went to primary school overseas and we moved here when dd was in year seven. She started a few weeks after term started. I wanted her to fit in at school so I took her to a shoe shop, Clarks, and asked the lady for advice. She put her in Brogues. My dd couldn’t believe her eyes as she had worn running shoes or sandals all the way through primary. She was saying to the lady ‘I can’t wear these policeman’s shoes with a skirt’ and the lady was telling her she absolutely could and it would be fine and that’s what everyone else was wearing. And they were and it was fine. And she was perfectly comfortable despite never having worn proper shoes.

Depends on the school really, I think these are fine and would be fine at my DDs school- but if your school is very strict they might say these count as trainers/not “smart” enough.
Probably better to get more of a formal school shoe to be safe.

They don't look like school shoes to me, sorry OP.

Do you know anyone at the school already? My dd’s official uniform policy turned out to be much stricter on paper than in reality, so we were worrying about shoes, as it even specified sole thickness. But we asked a friend’s son who was already there and he said no one cares and he was right. So if there’s any way to check try that. I feel the same re not wanting super restrictive shoes so I was relieved.

None of those do barefoot shoes
shes wanting foot shaped shoes with a minimal sole and no heel
theres some here

https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/froddo-kids-barefoot-school-lace-up-shoe.html

OP I really recommend going and getting your children’s feet measured and professionally fitted rather than buying online. The leading brands for school shoes in the UK are Clarks and Startrite, department stores will also stock other brands like Geox (which I have found to be very well made). Get in quick as it can be fairly hectic at this time of year. Our secondary is pretty strict on the ‘no trainers’ front. Nevertheless even the very formal looking shoes from places like Clarks have been made with kids feet in mind (eg padding on heels to avoid chafing).

At my school (and every school I have taught in) they would need to be fully black.

Mmm borderline, I think the shoes you linked to look comfy but still look trainer like because of the sole.
I wouldnt risk it-school shoes to me are Clarks or startrite or something bought from a school shoe shop like Russell and Bromley, Clarks or an independent. But then I'm a dinasaur!
Basically black leather with a black sole, no branding and a shoe not a boot.

That would not be allowed at my DC’s school as it would be considered a trainer. Firstly there is a logo. Secondly the soles are not black.

However my experience of UK school shoes made by either Clarks or Start Rite are well made shoes that are flexible and width fitted to ensure a good fit.

My husband and I wear barefoot shoes but they wouldn’t be allowed for school. Go to John Lewis or Clarks or a children’s school shop and ask for school shoes.