To not know which shoes to buy

[DancingWithYourDog]

DS is starting high school in a few weeks and I need to buy him school shoes and trainers for PE. I bought him Clark’s school shoes throughout primary and just normal trainers. Are Clark’s still ok for high school or may I as well put a sticker on his back?
Also do the lads all wear lace ups (shoes and trainers), laces take him forever and Velcro or slip on would be quicker and easier but again, don’t want him to be a target for teasing.

Isn't it specified in the uniform guidelines? Some schools seem to be very fussy about footwear.

I think Clarks are fine for year sevens. My son has just bought slip on style. He doesn't like laces - he can do them but is very left handed and they always come loose. He was frightened he got wrong for velcro. He has trainers from Clarks - astro turf style.

There is no definite answer for this as every school will be different. Both in their uniforms and their fashions.

Did he notice anyone's shoes on transition day?

I wouldn't get Velcro.

As others have said all schools are different. It also depends a bit on how your son is.
Ats DD's school branded trainers are important 🙄
If at all possible I would avoid velcro on both the shoes and trainers. Have a look on the school website, are there any photos that will help? There may well be a parents Facebook page that could help.

Failing all that could he wear his old ones for a week or 2 and then get the 'right' ones after that?

School uniform list just says “conventional black school shoes, no trainers” and for the PE trainers “trainers with non-marking soles”
DS isn’t interested in fashion but is very interested in fitting in.

M&S do a decent range of reasonably priced black shoes. I've never had any problems from either my two DSs or their schools.

Either get trainers with a pull button closure or buy normal ones and put elastic aged laces in. Don't get Velcro.

velcro 🤦🏼‍♀️

Clarks are fine - mine wore them, they didn't look any different to anybody else's shoes and they never had a problem about them. Held up well to endless football kicking.

I’ve never heard of trainers with a pull button closure what the heck are they?

Surely by 11 he should be able to competently tie shoe laces unless he has additional needs? Get practising over the next couple of weeks!

He does indeed have additional needs.

Like this Laces I've no idea what they're actually called!
You can also buy the laces like that separately, I got DS's in a sports shop, and lace a normal pair of trainers with them.
Also for teaching, do the backward chaining method, you talk them through everything and get them to do the last step. When they can do that, the two last steps.

Thank you, StandUpPirates, and OP for thread. DS is dyspraxic and starting secondary in Sept. Those laces seem just the thing!

You're over thinking this. Get shoes that fit him and work for him. You can't control the behaviour in school of other children.

@StandUpPirates gotcha! We’ve been through multiple sets of those then when DS learned to tie laces I stopped buying them but yes good idea we could go back to those.
He can tie them but it takes him ages, which is ok in primary as he ties them at home in the morning but in high school they have to change in/out of PE kit during the day.