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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think these shoes are within uniform regulations?

77 replies

freddiefrog · 09/09/2013 09:53

Eldest daughter started secondary school last Wednesday.

This morning, helpfully Hmm, she informs me that she was spoken to about her shoes on the way out of school on Friday afternoon as they weren't uniform regulation.

These are the shoes www.clarks.co.uk/p/20355020

The shoe guidelines from their uniform regulations:
Black shoes; no trainers, platform shoes, ?Uggs?, open toe, canvas shoes or sling backs. Heels should be no higher than 2"

She was in a bit of a panic going in this morning as they've had dire warnings about being sent home or taught in isolation if they don't have correct uniform, but there wasn't a lot I could do about it at 8:15am. She should have told me Friday, but even then, as far as I can see, there's nothing actually wrong with them.

Black - check
Not trainers, platform, open toe, canvas, Uggs or slingbacks - check
Heel lower than 2" - check

I'm really not prepared to buy more shoes. If school want to be really particular about shoes, they should be clearer when they send out the uniform regulations.

OP posts:
pickledparsnip · 09/09/2013 09:55

I think they are being ridiculous! They look fine to me.

Original poster
freddiefrog · 09/09/2013 09:56

Aargh.

Sorry, wrong shoes

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20350534

Very similar to above, but lower heel

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 09/09/2013 09:56

I can't see anything wrong with them at all.

When your DD was spoken to, what did they actually say to her?

gobbledegook1 · 09/09/2013 09:56

YANBU.

Ezio · 09/09/2013 09:57

Yeah, they are being very pedantic, shoes look perfectly fine for school.

Hegsy · 09/09/2013 09:57

Look fine to me. Perhaps give the school a call and ask what the problem is?

Nanny0gg · 09/09/2013 09:57

Sensible and fashionable!

Win-win.

Take it to the Governors if anything more is said.

DuchessFanny · 09/09/2013 09:57

They look fine to me too, did she say what the school said the actual problem with them was ?

Writerwannabe83 · 09/09/2013 09:57

How are they not in regulation??

When I clicked on the link I was preparing to be faced with some crazy shoes that would be completely unreasonable, but they look like the most 'normal' type of shoes you could buy?

YANBU.

However, on the flip side, do you absolutely trust your daughter is telling the truth? Maybe another pupil made a disparaging or upsetting comment about her shoes and she thinks that if she tells you she's not allowed them you'll buy her some new 'trendier' in the hope she will get peer approval? Smile

You just never know....

I would probably approach the head teacher for clarification.... Smile

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 09/09/2013 09:58

Failing to see problem tbh.

They look the very definition of smart black school shoes.

BellaVida · 09/09/2013 09:58

They're Clark's school shoes FGS!!!

I saw a girl trying some on the other day when I was getting my lot kitted out and thought how smart they looked. What did they say was wrong with them?

If they say anything further, I would go down to the school with the Clark's catalogue and have a word.

Picturesinthefirelight · 09/09/2013 09:58

They're perfect.

And dds school us very strict on shoes eg no ballerina flats.

OldBeanbagz · 09/09/2013 10:00

There's nothing wrong with them at all. In fact my DD and most of her friends wear similar ones and we haven't had any problems.

DD tells me that there's a girl in her school who's wearing all black Converse high tops to school Shock

littlewhitebag · 09/09/2013 10:00

They are the exact ones my DD has and her school is very strict about uniform. I have no idea why these would be seen as unsuitable.

Bonsoir · 09/09/2013 10:01

I don't like the shoes, personally, but they do seem to fall within the school guidelines. I think you should write to the school in the terms you used in the OP, asking for further clarification.

burberryqueen · 09/09/2013 10:02

some teachers just enjoy shouting at people about their shoes tbh....
take it up with the school OP, those shoes are about as sensible as they get.

dexter73 · 09/09/2013 10:02

Was she actually wearing her trainers at the time because I cannot see how anyone would think those shoes are unsuitable for school?!

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 09/09/2013 10:02

Hmm They couldn't be more classic boring school shoes if they tried

Ezio · 09/09/2013 10:03

They look more practical than these shoes my sister picked for school.

Writerwannabe83 · 09/09/2013 10:03

Lol moaning - that's why I made the point I did......

Original poster
freddiefrog · 09/09/2013 10:03

Thanks

She said that the teacher told her that she needed plain black shoes and these weren't plain.

Unfortunately DD doesn't know who the teacher is. It was the end of her 3rd day and had never seen him before

I don't think she'd lie to get a new pair. She had free reign provided they fitted in with the guidelines.

I'll email school. I wondered if it was just me Grin

Thanks!

OP posts:
Scholes34 · 09/09/2013 10:03

DD had the same shoes last year in a school where they've recently cracked down on the uniform. Good shoes are expensive, and given the amount of walking you do at secondary, good shoes are important.

If they'd been a problem for me, I'd be the one to take this up with the school, rather than my DD, as I was the one who bought the shoes and having bought the shoes you showed, I would be very reluctant to have to splash out another £40. In the meantime, I'd provide an appropriate note for my DD to say you were aware of an issue regarding the shoes, and were in the process of dealing with the matter, to ensure she's not sent home or given a detention.

Theas18 · 09/09/2013 10:04

Ask school OP. They are being a tad ridiculous. Maybe what they wants is " no fashionable shoes" as brogues are very " in" at the moment...

IMHO they are the perfect school shoe. Leather, supportive and make for walking/generally being an active school kid.

Scholes34 · 09/09/2013 10:05

We're into semantics here. By "plain" I'd understand "no labels" or fancy bows.

Original poster
freddiefrog · 09/09/2013 10:10

By "plain" I'd understand "no labels" or fancy bows.

Same here.

Pretty much all school shoes have some sort of design feature on them. Flicking through the Clarkes' website, all the school shoes in her size range have something on them.

I have given her a note if the issue arises again and will email in the meantime

OP posts: