To slightly ignore uniform policy?

[Vaginald]

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20350622

www.sportsdirect.com/lonsdale-leyton-v-childrens-035328

Along with most schools, ds's uniform policy states he can't wear trainers, so something from clarks like in first link is allowed.
I find it so frustrating when he already owns the (much cheaper) pair in the second link, and they are almost the same!
Aibu to send him to school in the trainers in the hope that noone notices?!

I'd use the ones he's already got - they look identical to me! What they don't want are white/coloured football boot type trainers!

YANBU. The first picture looks like trainers to me, just a different name

Go for it.

Thanks for the opinions guys! I've even polished them to make them look nice & shiny & school shoe-esqe!

unfortunately in my experience (as a teacher) they will notice - I appreciate it is frustrating though.

Ds had the same shoes last year, no one said anything, I think they look fine

Black trainers are allowed in my DS's Primary school but not the Senior school.

It makes sense because he tears around the playground at break time and shoes can be quite slippy.

If they notice, apologise and promise to get new ones as soon as shoe shops have restocked.

If they don't notice, you're quids in.

If the school say anything, just plead ignorance and say they were in the school shoe section.

YANBU.

Ah good ideas edith & jeezy I'll feign a look of innocence

I agree worra- ds got through 4 pairs of school shoes last year because he plays football every break & lunch!

tired hopefully I'll get away with it too! Fingers crossed!

songbird - i'll have to pray they don't notice (until I get paid at least!) it's such a pedantic detail for a run of the mill junior school!

Interestingly enough, they changed the uniform policy to allow black trainers on health and safety grounds.

After that, they reported a significant drop in playground accidents.

I mean if you were going running, you wouldn't wear a pair of dressy shoes to do it in would you?

Exactly!!! I wouldn't want to be running along on concrete ever in flimsy "smart" shoes!

my sons secondary school has avery strict uniform policy but he has worn those shoes for 2 years now. They are cheap and quite long lasting so ideal for school.

A few of DS' friends have these which are even more similar to the Sports Direct ones. Just feign ignorance and claim they were in the school shoe section. I doubt they'll notice though.

Perhaps a letter to the Governors suggesting they relax the policy for H&S reasons?

It's not an unreasonable suggestion and I'm sure they'd give it some thought. I imagine the parent Govs in particular would welcome the topic being raised at their next meeting.

Those definitely fit into the black socks, long trousers and dare the pedants to say anything category

The senior school both my DS went to had a very strict uniform policy but I think I would have got away with those in your second link.

They seemed to be more bothered about logos and wouldn't allow shoes that had any kind of logo on either.

It would take a keen eyed teacher to spot the logo on those trainers. Keep their trousers as long as you possibly can without having them trip up

Long trousers, black socks- check!

Yeah they are fine. If they say anything then what they gonna do? It's shoes ffs.

It will only cause a problem when another student turns up in these:

www.sportsdirect.com/lonsdale-flying-the-flag-leyton-v-mens-165034?colcode=16503437

and then points to your son's feet when the teachers pulls him up on it.

It does make it harder for teachers to deal with uniform standards when Clarks make shoes that look like trainers and sports bands make trainers that look like shoes.

How strict is the school? If it is known for having high standards for uniform, then YABU, because it's not really fair on him to get, if not in trouble, then singled out in his first few days, which will be stressful enough! I work at a pretty strict school, and I'd spot them.

If they're not that hot on it, then go for it!

It's not a super-strict school to be honest, although I do agree about the lines between shoes and trainers being fairly blurred!

sorry op but at my school it would certainly be noticed as the trainer logo are on the side of the sole

YANBU, as long as you are prepared to buy a different pair if you are challenged about it. Have a go by all means, but don't complain if they call you on it.

I have polished over any visible logos so they're black, I know that may be a giveaway, it's just so annoying that if the exact same design said "clarks" it would be fine!

If he's challenged about them I'll get him some "proper" shoes for his piece of mind more than anything!