Would your school (primary ) accept these shoes?

[MrsBDarcy]

I had to buy these yesterday along with several other parents due to lack of options (3 shops tried) and huge queues at Clarks and unable to get to any other shops. Son's inside insole wore through rendering his current shoes super uncomfortable despite still looking ok. I'm hoping school don't say they're too trainer-ish as I can't afford to buy more and son was asked to make sure he got new shoes at weekend after he wore trainers on Friday. Help me have a polite response ready to say these are what he'll be wearing for a while ?

@ColinSupporter

“ The head at the DCs' school is fantastic.”

Nope, she’s shit. She’s nicely weeding out anyone who can’t tolerate her ridiculous rules, so her precious school isn’t polluted with children who might be more difficult or need more work. No doubt they also get fantastic grades. Running that kind of school is easy. It’s a disgrace to state education she’s allowed to take that attitude.

Couldn't agree more. And I've been focusing on children who aren't neuro typical but your'e totally right that it also happily excludes children from different socio-economic groups.

Probably not but they may be more flexible given the difficulty in getting hold of new shoes at the moment. Tbh, I think they look ok.

Our children's planner has a little box on each page where you can write why they are out of uniform.
Or, you can notice part way to school like I did that your child clearly thought it was ps day despite being in normal uniform and had out trainers on. I asked the staff member doing the greet and sanitise if anyone cared he was in the wrong footwear. They did not.
I like that school.

Dd went to one of the best Secondary schools in our nearest city.
Also a non uniform school, and she has ASD.
I know of several kids who were weeded out of her previous school due to ASD that did have a uniform.
Guess which got the better results...

If they won't 'let' you then I would think it time for a little white lie! Maybe your son has hurt his ankle/knee and his new school shoes are causing a problem so he needs to wear more trainer like ones? Or something like that.

Yes, absolutely. My 9 year old wears Treads leather shoes in that style. Eldest child wore black leather Vans to the local Boys Grammar, as did most of his classmates.

Yes. As long as they are black our school doesn't care.

@MrSeptember

DC in South Korea and China do not play with sand pits all day- they are at desks working. It is no surprise they far outperform the DC here.

I can't comment on South Korea but frankly, the more I learn about China, the less I'd want anything for me and my loved ones that emulates that country. Clearly issues with human rights start at the early education level!

I met some school pupils from a number of far eastern countries at an international science/engineering competition that one of my children was fortunate enough to participate in a number of years ago. They were indeed phenomenal, but seemed to be very one dimensional. It was noticeable how uncomfortable they seemed during the other activities that were laid on for the young people outside of the actual competition. They made me think of those young gymnasts you used to see from the USSR and other Eastern Bloc countries - selected at a very young age according to their aptitude and trained to a very high standard, but in their discipline only. There's also been quite a lot published on the poor mental health and general dissatisfaction with life that young people experience in countries that employ this type of educational strategy. It's not something I'd want for my children.

[quote SpringTides5]@Inertia

The DC's school does not believe in a play based curriculum, so a blazer and for based uniform is perfectly suitable.

The MAT and head believe that focusing on the three r's right from reception is the correct approach. All DC are expected to be at desks doing written work.

DC in South Korea and China do not play with sand pits all day- they are at desks working. It is no surprise they far outperform the DC here.[/quote]
A school for 4 year olds doesn’t believe in play based learning? What a load total bollocks. Children in the U.K. aren’t in sandpits all day either. And yes, I’m sure overall results are better when disabled children like mine are not educated at all, eh?

Also:
Trainers would it be acceptable in an office so should not be acceptable in a school.

Trainers and jeans have been acceptable in every office I’ve ever worked in. I’ve never had an employer police my clothing or shoes since I worked minimum wage uniformed jobs during A-levels and university. Everyone managed to be professional and make an awful lot of money (highly lucrative industries too).

@SpringTides5 that's the most entertaining post I've read all day 🤣🤣 bless you!

@SpringTides5 and when parents tell her to bugger off, what does she do then?

Kids around here all wear black Air Force 1's or vans.

Four year old children in South Korea or China would be in pre-school, not sitting at a desk in a suit and brogues. Children start primary school at the age of 6.

They also have totally different education systems, irrespective of uniform. Private tutoring in South Korea is such a massive industry (and leads to such stress and exhaustion for children ) that the government frequently try to tighten regulations- which rather begs the question about why tutoring is needed, if learning at desks in formal uniform is the answer to everything?

DS has just got those shoes for primary and nothing has been said to him (mind you he's wearing PE kit for 4 days a week at the moment.) Never occurred to me there would be a problem with them to be honest.

My daughter is at a high performing indie. They are all in PE kit for the rest of the school year. So the shoes would be fine and I'm eye-rolling at those who think she can't be learning without her blazer.

The lack of blazer and correctly buttoned shirt will hinder her academic progress @eurochick. How will she ever get to university now?!

It's Primary school. So you should be fine.

Secondary schools would be hit and miss around here. Some would accept them as sensible shoes and others would reject them for being too much like trainers!

Fine in our and my DS wears them. Clarks and John Lewis included these in their boys school shoes online categories. They are not trainers!

They look absolutely fine and any school headteacher who has problems with them is batshit.

I'd just send him in them as you have done and say nothing yourself unless they do. If they do say anything then explain that these were the only availability in his size. If detention is threatened then tell them that he won't be attending it.

I’m not sure anyone here can answer that. Surely the thing to do is email the school and ask them.

God yes.Why not ???

@cicatrix1

God yes.Why not ???

@cicatrix1 because apparently we live in Korea or China 🤣

Yes, both primary and secondary. Primary would actually accept any shoes. Do sometimes wears white or grey trainers.

*Ds

@SpringTides5

Yes it's a state academy primary *@midnightstar66*. All DC are expected to be in shirt, tie, blazer, jumper, smart trousers/skirt, smart socks and smart black school shoes. Both coats and bags must be school logo ones.

Uniform is also expected to be worn properly- top buttons done up, shirts tucked in, blazer and jumper on at all times unless teacher gives permission to remove, shoes polished.

It's great! It helps to ensure a culture or high standards and high expectations. There are very rarely any uniform issues as all parents and DC accept and understand the expectations.

Is your head teacher Miss Trunchball?

Seriously (and yes, very seriously) the school environment you are describing is actually detrimental to a child’s growth and development. That’s why most schools and LAs are moving away from that approach as fast as they can. All the “research” says so 😉