Two things I want to say about schools going back...

[formerbabe]

1. I initially supported the closure of schools but I was absolutely disgusted and appalled that my children couldn't go back before the summer holidays...I was absolutely desperate for them to go back, not for me, but for them. We're now being preached at about how it's better for them to go back to school rather than stay at home...yeah, no shit, I've been saying that for the past four months. I'm fuming that my children were banned from school premises against my wishes and I'm now being told that school is really important, like I didn't know that. I'm really quite angry so perhaps I'm being irrational over this...

1. I bought new school shoes prior to lockdown, they've been worn for a week and now don't fit. Would I be unreasonable to send them to school in any shoes I want and sod their bloody rules?

Worn or unworn, your kids feet would have grown and would require new shoes now.

You chose not to put th in their school shoes when it because clear schools wouldn't just be closed for a couple of weeks.
Buy the shoes you'd have had to buy anyway.

Well, it was pretty clear that schools were going to close for a few weeks before they actually did, so perhaps it was a silly time to be buying new shoes? No judgement there however, we'd have worn the new shoes over the summer regardless in case they were grown out of - summer is the only time my children's feet grow!

Re the message from the government, there are an awful lot of people who are still scared about sending kids back, and a few idiots who think that they won't send the kids back until absolutely everything else is open, as if it's not safe to go to a nightclub then how could we possibly risk that for an education so i think a bit of messaging rather than total silence is probably necessary.

My children have both continued wearing the black shoes/trainers they normally wear to school through April - July. Granted they haven't had as much time outside as normal, but their shoes have been used.
I think the 'send your children back to school' message is not aimed at you, but at those who are anxious.

It's like a bizarre rewriting of history. Heard someone say this morning that they tried to get kids back in June...that's news to me. My dc had no opportunity to return

1. It's done, no point in raging about it now. You holding on to anger is only pissing yourself off and will achieve little else. The kids are returning to school, that's what matters.
2. They would have needed new shoes now anyway, just that their old ones will be in a better state to sell, not completely sure how you've lost out there!

My son has outgrown his shoes and trousers that I bought in early March but he's 14 so part of the parcel of growing up and I'll have to suck up the cost of new shoes and trousers.

It's one of those things isn't it ,I bought my son new shoes a few weeks before the end of term last year as his were falling to bits ,thinking they would be fine for the September ,but they didn't fit ,it's a fact of life kids grow.

Completely agree OP, most parents I know want their kids in school and have done since the beginning. Media just give to much airtime to the drama queens (like many on here).

And kids should be able to wear trainers to school ffs, they are much better for growing feet.

You can get black leather converse, very good for growing feet, and last well, too.

£200 on two pairs of shoes

I think considering the situation it would be a nice gesture to relax uniform rules...lots of people struggling financially due to covid, lots of uniform that has effectively been wasted as not worn, lots of parents have been caught with unexpected expenses due to having their dc at home, increased food bills, we had to spend lots on books, stationery, paper, printer ink etc...then to be told uniform rules remain in place, when let's be honest, our dc are going to be sent home next term every time they cough...

@formerbabe

I think considering the situation it would be a nice gesture to relax uniform rules...lots of people struggling financially due to covid, lots of uniform that has effectively been wasted as not worn, lots of parents have been caught with unexpected expenses due to having their dc at home, increased food bills, we had to spend lots on books, stationery, paper, printer ink etc...then to be told uniform rules remain in place, when let's be honest, our dc are going to be sent home next term every time they cough...

Schools generally provide help for parents who can't afford school uniform. I imagine that help will remain in place, although there's likely to be more demand for it.

Op the suggestions to sell on your shoes is a good one, and then look for shoes for your DC too, you won't be the only one with barely worn shoes

Also, there are lots of uniform swap groups on Facebook, perhaps you could see if there are any for your school/area.

Schools generally provide help for parents who can't afford school uniform

Well they keep that quiet don't they?!

I completely agree with you. It's all bollocks basically.

@formerbabe

Schools generally provide help for parents who can't afford school uniform

Well they keep that quiet don't they?!

No, not at all.

Well not in my area anyway, perhaps because it's one of the poorest in London.

But generally speaking, any parents can approach their school in times of financial hardship and they'll be pointed in the direction of help.

But generally speaking, any parents can approach their school in times of financial hardship and they'll be pointed in the direction of help

I live in a fairly poor borough myself and had no idea...mind you I haven't looked. I'm sure plenty of people would be loathe to do this though out of shame and fear

I live in a fairly poor borough myself and had no idea...mind you I haven't looked. I'm sure plenty of people would be loathe to do this though out of shame and fear

It's completely confidential. So if you can't afford new school shoes, have a quiet word with the school. You certainly won't be the only parent.

Your kids would have outgrown their shoes by now whether they'd been worn once or constantly throughout the past six months, so it's complete ridiculous to blame "the government" for the fact that they need replacing.
Grow up.

There are school uniform grants (not sure if it's tied into FSM) Round here the school gives you a voucher to spend with the school uniform shop so you can get shoes and logo stuff

I can afford new shoes and I've no doubt it's kept confidential, I'm just saying many people wouldn't want to...I have no doubt many people would be petrified that admitting something like that would lead to ss intervention...even if that's not the case

@formerbabe

I can afford new shoes and I've no doubt it's kept confidential, I'm just saying many people wouldn't want to...I have no doubt many people would be petrified that admitting something like that would lead to ss intervention...even if that's not the case

But the people buying new shoes would have had to buy new shoes anyway. No one on a low income are going to throw away perfect shoes because they were brought a year ago if they still fit andif they do, I have no sympathy.

DS somehow lost a school show in the house. He'd been in boots all winter and if have probably brought new shoes Easter so I guess I looked out as he's just fine up a size so that would have been two in 6 months.

I'd definitely be putting them on cheap or free on a local group if you live in an area with low income families

If you can afford new shoes, I'm at a complete loss as to why you mentioned them in the first place.

Like PPs, I agree with your first point though.

Well you chose to buy shoes for £100. I just buy shoes from Tesco, George or Shoezone - usually cost about £15 each. They’re perfectly fine 🤷‍♀️

And it was pretty obvious that schools were going to close. I said my ‘thank you and bye’ to the teacher on the last day because I guessed that they wouldn’t be going back until September.