school shoes aibu (prepared to be told I am)

[frangipan]

My son started secondary school this year, in line with the uniform policy which states ' black, preferably leather, shoes with non slip soles' I bought him these
www.amazon.co.uk/Pod-Felix-Older-Casual-School/dp/B00E4NIFBU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384879250&sr=8-3&keywords=pod+boys+shoes so far so good, uniform was checked and passed off in the first week.

They fell apart after the first half term, walking, bus ride, heavy rain etc. The soles peeled away and the facing came away. We did glue them together so they would make it to half term.

so in half term we bought some more expensive better quality shoes

www.amazon.co.uk/Vans-Black-Leather-Trainers-UK/dp/B006EIU2YG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384879462&sr=8-2&keywords=black+leather+vans

we used permanent marker and blacked out the logo flash. They are black leather shoes with non slip soles. They have told us the new pair are not acceptable and that we have a week to buy new ones and that the original one were not suitable. We argued that our DS (if I do say so myself) is always clean and smart looking and that the shoes are in accordance with uniform policy. The school still say they are not appropriate. I honestly didn't buy them for the brand and bought them on the premise that they were similar to the original pair that no one had commented on for eight weeks.DS has canvas versions for casual wear and I knew they would fit and be comfortable. Can they really force us to buy more shoes by punishing DS??? new to all this so all help much appreciated.

The school sent him into isolation this morning for uniform breach. No one contacted me.

quite aside from the the thread - those shoes look like something your grandmother would make you wear

but seriously - The school need to get over themselves and I would be kicking up a huge fuss over this. They think removing him from his class and therefore him missing out on teaching is more important than him wearing the correct shoes - tell them if they want him to have anotehr pair of shoes then they can pay for them!

one more thing HOW MUCH????

They are called trainers, not shoes but, TBH, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. What makes a shoe into a trainer?

I know the second pair are expensive, but as the first ones fell apart I thought better quality=last longer. His feet don't grow very fast so I think they will last until july

Considering they are sold as trainers yabu

I can see no reason why those shoes are not suitable! Did they ever give you a reason?

YANBU, what picky buggers, they look fine to me.

tbh I'm surprised either were deemed suitable for school. Surely a "shoe" has a moulded sole and separate heel.

YANBU! If anything, you are a bit too meek!

I agree with LEMisafucker when she writes

"The school need to get over themselves and I would be kicking up a huge fuss over this. They think removing him from his class and therefore him missing out on teaching is more important than him wearing the correct shoes - tell them if they want him to have anotehr pair of shoes then they can pay for them!"

Is it because they don't have proper solid soles? In any case do your uniform rules say no trainers? Is so YABU as they are trainers if they don't then the school ABU as they are plain black leather.

I think its the fact they are trainers couldn't see either would have been OK for Ds's uniform policy. It states smart dress shoes non marking sole.

They look like shoes to me.

Well, the reviews on Amazon are all commenting on what good school shoes they are, so obviously not all schools are of the same opinion as your son's...

I know they are a bit grannyesque, but I was homing in on the non slip sole and black leather attributes. DS doesn't mind them anyway. I have argued my case with them and I have now received an email from the Head of House. Basically saying they have discussed it and the first pair should not have been allowed either as they are unsuitable for school (?) and that as I purchased the second pair on the basis that they were appropriate they have agreed the school can 'lend' me some money for new ones until payday.

I looked at them and think both are unsuitable as a school shoe.

They are trainers.

Gum soles are the giveaway of vans trainers, they are sold as trainers and for anyone with a basic knowledge of Vans shoes they are really obvious, label or not.

That said, I do wish schools would find something better to worry about that what is on a kids feet. I'm not saying all turn up in neon Nikes but a sensible pair of black shoes/boots/trainers is hardly an issue.

The DSs school is pretty strict about uniform and even they'd allow them. DS2's current shoes (which were sold as 'shoes' not 'trainers') look less like shoes than those do.

They are sold as trainers.

Why do you think they are appropriate to be used as school shoes.

So many kids come to school wearing trainers/casual street wear things (like above)... why oh why won't parents put them in proper shoes!

YABU

The second pair have the same soles as cheapy plimsolls. The first pair look like plimsolls too.
At my DCs schools the soles have to be black as well as the uppers.

ofgs they they are being riddiculous they are black shoes!

YANBU

But then my DS wears black GEOX trainers to school, they are the only ones that stand up to the hammer he gives them. He is in primary - I got away with flashing dark trainers at the end of the last summer term as his proper shoes fell apart just before the end. I think my school is quite relaxed on shoes. Thankful that the school have the right priorities.

see now if they had told me the first pair were not what they wanted I wouldn't have gone down a similar route for the second. I am going to have to find money for new shoes aren't I.

The second pair are vans and vans would never pass as a school shoe. They are trendy plimsols.

But why does the school need to get over themselves.
They have a uniform policy and it has been broken.

What else should they get over just to appease parents who slightly want to bend the rules?

So many kids come to school wearing trainers/casual street wear things (like above)... why oh why won't parents put them in proper shoes!

Is this a huge problem for you, Damnbamboo.