So are these school shoes or trainers

[Shoesortrainers]

School have published their amended policy from Sept. This style is showed as unacceptable as they apparently trainers.

Er no they are school shoes and they
are the ONLY ones that fit my wide footed , high instep child. Believe me we’ve tried and tried over the years. They are just like me unfortunately. Plus sensory issues too.

School shoes must also be black and of polishable leather (they are!)

School refusing to budge. In fact the teacher dealing with uniform is being very rude and obstructive.

So Mumsnet are these shoes or trainers.

I would say they are smart trainers.

It's funny the dolly shoes they are recommending for girls aren't allowed in our school as they are terrible for feet, they slip off as you walk, aren't supportive and your feet are soaked if it rains. I think their shoe policy is bonkers. We have a no trainer policy too, but the black leather ones you post are fine. By trainers they mean shoes that are clearly trainers. Those trainer style shoes are far better for growing feet than those 40 year old office worker style ones.

Why do school shoes need to go with a wedding suit?

Proper school shoes are typical in a secondary school. I'd be surprised if Clarks did those shoes in a size typical of a secondary school. Get a high arch insert if that is your main concern.

Just saw your post with the photos. I wouldn't class most of the girls options as formal shoes. One of the girls options also looks like smart trainers to me

U watch.. the same schools obsessed with forcing kids into impractical amd unsuitable shoes and ensuring no one with disabilities /issues etc applies ( I was supposed to have these insoles in my shoes to try and correct my wonky feet except school would not allow ankle boots or the kind of shoes that these insoles would actually fit in. So I couldn't wear them) will also send you a gazillion emails about the parking. Not once connecting the dots that ballet pups and flimsy school shoes ( by that list I expect dms or kickers which are sturdier would not be allowed due to stitching/tabs) mean the kids can't walk or cycle to school.

We have a massive childhood obesity issue which is worse in high schools as nutritional guidelines fir the food no longer apply so.much. kids should be able to wear boots and trainers etc so they can walk and run and play. The longer we cab keep them.runnimg and playing in parks as opposed to sitting around on their phones on tik tok and social media the better. Trainers all the way. Keep them active

I attended an amazing secondary school that was outstanding and performed best in the area despite the cohort being from an low/average socioeconomic background. We wore polo shirts and could choose from 4 colours and a jumper in winter. You could wear a skirt or trousers, any shoes and nail polish was acceptable but fake nails weren't. The school promoted individuality and I loved it. I attended another secondary school before this one and was always sweating in my blazer and stressing about the heat!

How does an insert help if the shoes are too narrow and not deep enough?

This

Schools do themselves no favours with this kind of shit.

None of the shoes they show as acceptable for their school are suitable for children with any form of disability such as dyspraxia or other movement disorder, arthritis or any foot/ankle disorder.

Email to tell them how they are indirectly discriminating against children with a disability, and also speak to Citizens Advice about how to take the complaint higher if necessary, because this is not on.

All of those girls' shoes are ridiculous- much flimsier looking than the boys. I wouldn't have been able to wear any of the ballet shoe style ones myself.

I assume that your DD doesn't have a locker at school? (going on ds2's school, where only some pupils have one). If she does, could she wear trainers for the walk to school and then change when she gets there?

The OP didn't mention a high arch. A high instep is a different issue involving the top of the foot. Arch support would make no difference whatsoever.

This might have been covered but I thought there were rules that comprehensive schools had to follow with regards to uniform? I thought the D of E had instructed schools that they were not allowed to have uniform rules that were too exclusive?

The girls selection is pathetic flimsy shoes, very limiting.

'Reasonable adjustment' is the phrase you need to mention, backed up with a letter from a medical professional. A GP letter mentioning anxiety and sensory issues and coordination issues should do.
'Reasonable adjustment' allows the school to change a rule for an individual pupil without having to change their whole policy.
Not allowing a 'reasonable adjustment' would constitute discrimination against someone with a mental health disability (anxiety) or a physical disability (coordination issues).
Have you contacted the SEN staff member?

My son can’t seem to do laces that stay done up, we got some elastic ones and they are great, he now has them on most shoes as I was sick of trailing laces, his shoes look much smarter now.

"It is important that shoes are complementary of a blazer and formal trousers".

Bullshit is it 'important'. It's just some arbitrary rule they've decided on. Absolutely rdiculous.

These are definitely trainers. Clark’s and Startrite both offer wide fittings on most school shoe designs (look for the ones that still have trainer-shaped soles)! Surely secondary school children are in lace-ups?

Bet OP hasn't thought of that ...

They are defo school shoes. We’ve had them. They are nothing like trainers. Send the Clark’s link to the school were it shows on the search tabs they are school shoes.

Not read the full thread. But I think they are school shoes and perfectly fine.

I always read these type of threads and am really glad I don't work in a school in England! Their uniform rules seem unbelievably petty, restrictive and unlikely to actually make any difference in educational outcomes. In our school kids can wear whatever shoes/boots they want. Most wear trainers or DMs. As a member of staff I also wear trainers/sandals/docs depending on weather!

Exactly the mindset rigid school uniform rules are designed to support. What we think doesn't matter, we all obey orders.

Most of Europe manages perfectly well with no school uniform at all. Their children are not rioting in the schools, most of them are getting better results at secondary age.

Whichever of the uniform police made that selection of shoes ought to get some professional advice from a podiatrist, particularly the girls' shoes.

https://www.clarksoutlet.co.uk/p/059603017

Surely something like this would pass? But still has easy velcro close flap!

YABU for sending a child to secondary school in Velcro shoes