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.

It depresses me that school expend their energies on this. They’re fine. Totally fine. I’d raise it as an equalities issue with the school and ask where their evidence base is for the idea that such intense scrutiny of minor uniform matters raises standards (spoiler - there is none - I work as an Education Lecturer).

There are very clearly shoes. It even says it in the description.

For those that are saying they’re trainers, I’d love to see an example of what school shoes are to you then

This re the girls shoes - nice and pretty innit.

with everything going on in the world today it beggars belief that the school are acting this way. Talk about the wrong priorities. At our DCs school in a fairly privileged area, the “good” kids got hammered for breach of school uniform rules such as not wearing blazer in the sweltering heat but the unruly kids came to school in Nikes and track suit bottoms and nothing was said as the teachers were scared they’d get punched in the face for challenging them!

I think the thing to do, @Shoesortrainers is to keep a dialogue open with a member of SLT. We have a lot of uniform exemptions with students who have sensory issues and disabilities. The Muslim girls are allowed to wear full length black robes. Just get a medical exemption.

They are a typical Clarks shoe, which are made to be healthy and non damaging for feet.

I can understand this ‘smarter for secondary than primary’ aspect but there really needs to be some flexibility and common sense that takes into account different needs. No trainers is perfectly reasonable but these are shoes.

They're definitely school shoes but also seem to be not allowed by your school's prescriptive policy.

There's very recent updated (non-statutory) guidance about school uniforms here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform/school-uniforms. This sits alongside the statutory cost of school uniform guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms. Worth a read if you're wanting to escalate your complaint.

Has there been any consultation with parents about the policy? What are the school doing to ensure it meets its obligations under the Equality Act? Have governors approved the policy (ask to see minutes)?

They are trainers, but it's impossible to buy school shoes any more, they are all trainers. It drives me mad. So yabu but so is the school because you can't get actual shoes for boys any more from high street shoe shops (maybe if you go to a specialist shop?)

My 8 year old has those and I'd say they're shoes but when i bought them I did notice they'd been described somewhere as trainers. If the school had said they weren't shoes i would have accepted it. They haven't though.

If these are genuinely the only type of shoes that your child can wear, would your GP sign a note to that effect. ie that because your child has unusually wide feet, with a particularly high instep (I have a very high instep myself and know it can be a bugger to suit) they cannot wear "ordinary" shoes?

The 'girls' choices are totally impractical. Just a light shower and they'd be damp all day.

DS has the same shoes as yours and DD at secondary has lace up versions with elastic laces (also autistic).

Elastic laces have been a revelation for DD, she can wear grown up shoes and trainers and still get them on.

Luckily DC's schools have made changes to their uniforms to make them less of a hindrance and distraction. Polo shirts and sweatshirts. The younger ones at primary now wear black joggers with plain black trainers and wellies, which is much more appropriate for small DC.

'Smart' uniforms are not aspirational, the only profession that dresses like that are estate agent franchises/chains.

This was my original thought. My family are all vegetarians, and I always try to find non-leather shoes, bags, etc. But I think they actually get around that bit of discrimination by saying "leather style" in that picture you posted.

My youngest son also struggles with getting school shoes to fit (he's now in year 10). But he has really loved these from Amazon (not made from leather):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FYWQR1A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hope you get a good result from the school, OP. Seems so trivial. A student who is hobbling along with ill-fitting shoes is not going to be able to concentrate and learn. Especially as so many secondary students walk to school. And some of those girls' shoes are awful in terms of foot and spine support.

Agreed.

You sound quite rightly at the end of your tether. You're simply looking out for your child's best interests and ensuring she is able to access education whilst wearing suitable shoes. You're not taking the piss at all and it's very disheartening to see several posters thinking you are. The shoes would make absolutely fuck all difference to the school and enable your child to actually partake in her learning saying she cannot wear them is frankly petty and small-minded of the teacher and school.

You would be swiftly managed out of DS’s school OP. The head is very clear that his role is to ensure DC get the best education they can, not to argue with parents unwilling to cooperate or follow simple rules.

The inadequate school down the road is perhaps more suitable.

But many children walk to school, so that’s what the shoes need to be fit for

In your position I would be furious. Sturdy, comfortable shoes for all that don't inhibit movement or foot growth should be the norm.

You say that the SEN route won't work, which was what I was going to suggest. These shoes should be considered a reasonable adjustment in their inclusion policy. Might be worth a try?

Have you had any joy speaking to the Head? Or Exec Head (assuming this is a MAT school)?

I'd end up being snarky and demanding to see the data that links footwear to learning outcomes, but that's probably not constructive.

I'm glad I teach in primary. Our uniform policy puts comfort and affordability first. Your school has its priorities screwed up. Sorry you're dealing with this.

I’ve just read all of your replies and this is crazy. I’d still be sending my child to school in whatever shoes that are comfortable to them. It’s not like you’re sending her to school in Air Forces or Vans.

The style of shoe was acceptable but now they’ve changed their policy. I’d still let her wear it but then again, I never listened to the school policy when I started secondary school just over 10 years ago

All of this!!!!!!

Like in this link https://www.standard.co.uk/shopping/esbest/fashion/mens/best-comfortable-formal-dress-shoes-for-men-b1063581.html

This is what school shoes always were. Now they are basically trainers, but you can't get anything else.

Agree. I HATE it. But no secondary round here takes a different approach. I hate stupid uniform rules about wearing blazers in 30 degree heat. It's about power & control not education or health or common sense.

From your updates it seems the issues with this school, and with the reference to others being owned by the same people, the academy chain are much bigger than a uniform policy.

Individual teachers in that sort of chain have no say on the uniform.

In your situation I'd consider some of the other shoes options posters have suggested, or get a doctor note for the shoes you have, and would probably try to get some advice on advocacy for the bigger issues.

It’s just absurd.

Only two more years of this nonsense to get through for my eldest with SN before he can go to college. He’s 14 and still in Velcro. My youngest will conform more happily when she starts in Sept.

Show me the evidence between wearing "smart" school shoes and higher attainment levels.

Plenty of countries have no / relaxed uniform policies and still manage to provide a fantastic education to their children.

Did you miss the part about having had trouble finding suitable footwear for him in the first place?

Personally I can put just about anything on my feet, but I’m able to comprehend that not everyone is so “lucky”.

Send the school the link you put and on here. Stand your ground. Well-fitting shoes are important, we are a high arch & wide feet family too and lots of std shoes are uncomfortable.

Who cares?
What matters here is not the shoes but the fact that staff are wasting time on this pointless crap when they could be teaching our children. Makes me despair.