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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu-Allowing d's to wear knee high boots for school

229 replies

Shippers87 · 14/03/2019 18:33

Posting here for opinions as I'm annoyed at the attitude of the teachers at my dd's school.

She is 6 years old and we bought her some black flat boots that sit just under the knee for school on days where it is cold/wet/windy as frankly the Mary Jane style shoes that are normally sold for girls are not suitable for this weather.

School assistant has kept asking my dd where her shoes are and went on to say she can't wear her boots.

It does not say this in the school uniform rules. Nor are they not practical as she is comfier in them than normal school shoes.

So I said next time they ask for my dd to tell the teacher that I let her wear them.

They have now told her that she has to wear her pe pumps inside. Which has made her feel sad.

Can they do this ?

I know there is no legislation saying that UK school children have to wear uniform but I feel this is a bit petty seeing as in this day and age you can wear knee high boots in certain workplaces

I don't pick her up/drop her off due to working full time so am thinking of writing a letter as I am unable to speak to them after school

OP posts:
FamilyOfAliens · 15/03/2019 08:06

PE plimsoles have no support whatsoever for growing feet. They have a flat sole and canvas upper with no reinforcement. I wouldn’t put a child in them to wear all day.

OP, your DD would be better of in one of the many styles of more sturdy school shoes that are all black but look like trainers. Many of our children wear them and you can get them in Tesco.

If you/she doesn’t find them “girly” enough, that’s just the price you pay for choosing a school with a uniform policy.

NeverSayFreelance · 15/03/2019 08:09

I wore ankle boots and chunky Clark's shoes for school because dolly plimsoles are IMO the devils work. I'm sure I had knee high boots at one point. No one cared. Cannot think why they wouldn't be appropriate.

Original poster
Shippers87 · 15/03/2019 08:10

The comment on my daughter feeling sad when she wears her pumps is because no one else does inside... if they were all made to do it that's fine, also other girls that wear ankle boots do not have to take them off (I've found out from their mums). Ok if I knew this I would not have bought knee high but in reception she wore a pair of knee highs in winter and it was never commented on

OP posts:
Yura · 15/03/2019 08:12

Most cold countries - where boots are a necessity- change shoes in winter. I.e. kids come in in boots, change into plimsoles, change back in boots when outside. wearing warm boots all day sounds horrible, especially as most schools are warm. school are sensible having her change into plimsoles.

BackinTimeforBeer · 15/03/2019 08:13

YANBU. The only shoes that fitted dd were Mary Janes - not kidding about the only shoes - she has incredibly narrow feet, even in secondary she has to wear Mary Janes and they are not cool or practical given she walks a mile each way. Boots would have been easier - they grip around the ankle - but boots aren't allowed, for what reason I don't know and I've never heard anyone come up with anything that makes sense.
It's this current obsession with school/corporate image isn't it and that such a depressing reason for a normal state school to insist on impractical shoes. I've heard one of the local primaries now allows black trainers - radical!

Ghanagirl · 15/03/2019 08:18

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BrightonBB · 15/03/2019 08:22

UnspiritualHome - jeans would be even worse - imagine the teasing for wearing supermarket own brand v designer label or last season or wrong colour.

reluctantbrit · 15/03/2019 08:44

DD always changed from boots to shoes at school when she walked. Saying that the school actually stated it on the uniform list, no boots, trainers or sandals.

I find boots uncomfortable in a warm room for a long time.

Bookworm4 · 15/03/2019 08:48

It isnt to practical or comfortable for a young child to wear knee high boots all day at school, my girls always changed into their school shoes when they got to school. Stop making a fuss and stick to the uniform.

BackinTimeforBeer · 15/03/2019 08:55

All rules around uniform are generally arbitrary but they are there to prepare kids for the fact that when in the world of work they will be given a uniform or dress code to adhere to and it will probably be arbitrary as well. I am very lucky that my dds school has a very flexible uniform policy.
How do you think your kids be prepared for the dress code in the world of work if your school has a flexible attitude to uniform policy and how can you possibly find this flexible attitude very lucky for you, when you have defended the absolute need for a strict policy to ensure kids know how to follow rules - how will your poor kids cope? Wink

FlagranceDirect · 15/03/2019 09:02

The comment on my daughter feeling sad when she wears her pumps is because no one else does inside

Is that because everyone else wears regulation footwear?

FlagranceDirect · 15/03/2019 09:05

I find boots uncomfortable in a warm room for a long time

It's also a good way to encourage a fungal nail infection.

sparklytwinklyfairylights · 15/03/2019 09:07

It's all about dressing in what you feel comfortable in as long as it looks smart

Unfortunately not if you choose to send your child to a school that has a strict uniform policy.

We live further north than you by the sounds of it and my DD wears boots daily to GET to school but changes to shoes when she gets to school. There is no issue at all, does she wear pumps whilst in school?

Eliza9917 · 15/03/2019 09:12

Get her a pair of DM shoes. They are good, practical, hard wearing shoes.

Eliza9917 · 15/03/2019 09:15

Both my schools had uniform, - proper shirt, tie & blazer set up at both - and in primary it was the rules to get to school and change into plimsolls. So much simpler.

In secondary, we were allowed to wear knee high boots.

EstrellaDamn · 15/03/2019 09:27

There's a very odd attitude to boots on this thread. They're impractical and uncomfortable and cause fungal nail infections?

And yet here in Scotland we manage for about six months of the year just fine, wearing them day in day out.

sparklytwinklyfairylights · 15/03/2019 09:29

@EstrellaDamn @GruciusMalfoy
Same here, I often read some of the threads on here in disbelief about what is and isn't allowed.

There are many issues at the moment with education in Scotland don't get me wrong but thank goodness the priority still seems to be to teach the children regardless, not what type of boots/shoes they are wearing.

That said I still think the op is BU.

ktjb39 · 15/03/2019 09:43

OP I'm not really sure why you asked the question, many posters have given you great advice but I'm certain you are not going to change your mind over this and will continue to send your child to school in boots.

BackinTimeforBeer · 15/03/2019 10:00

Schools getting excited over footwear that is perfectly sensible and practical always makes me question educator's priorities. Our school does it too and I really have to fight the voice inside me that says - these people are focusing on fashion with their uniform obsessions and they are educating my child! And the thing is all the bloody schools around here have the same rules - they are all bloody obsessed with fashion - I'd rather they focused on teaching my children.

ItsAllBollocksAgain · 15/03/2019 10:13

Dd has worn knee high boots through most of primary and we've never had an issue from the school, she's chosen to wear shoes this year but I know the high school will be very strict in September when she starts there so shoes from now on.

Pk37 · 15/03/2019 10:23

It's also a good way to encourage a fungal nail infection
Bullshit , no more than any other pair of closed toe shoes in a warm room.
I wear boots all through autumn , winter and most of spring and have never had anything like that

blackteasplease · 15/03/2019 10:28

I agree alot if the shoes they sell are no good. MJs are awful.

My dd isn't allowed boots. Kickers do some good enclosed pairs and you can get good prices online.

EstrellaDamn · 15/03/2019 10:31

Agreed @Pk37 if enclosed shoes encouraged nail infections there would be a very high percentage of boys suffering.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 15/03/2019 10:44

I'd love to know where all these non uniform schools are. There aren't any where I live. I'd also be interested in all these choices parents allegedly get wrt where our kids are educated. Most of us have to send our DC to our catchment school.
I'm sure some fuckwit will come along in a minute and say you should home educate if you don't want to follow pointless rules, but again most parents don't have the time or financial resources to do so. Better imo to use common sense and support rules which have genuine meaning and reject those which are more about the personal preference of the TA than any benefit to the children.

Mucky1 · 15/03/2019 10:50

My daughter wears knee boots, uggs or Clark's school shoes depending on the weather. We have never had anything mentioned Hmm she's 6 as long as she's clean, comfy and they're black why would they care.

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