Just read the bloody uniform policy!!!

[flingoringo]

I've just read an article about a school in Gateshead where lots of kids were sent home or out in isolation on day one of term because they were wearing the wrong shoes. The offending shoes seem to be mainly a Vivienne Westwood ballet flat (with a big silver VW emblem on the front) and a Nike walking boots. Lots of kids wearing the same, from yr7 to yr11.
Parents are up in arms, obviously. One mentions the CoL crisis so the need to scrimp and save to spend A HUNDRED QUID on the Nike shoes. One mum said her yr7 daughter won't be going back she's finding her a new school.

The school (taken over by an academy in 2019) says the policy is clear, plain black shoes with no logos. That they have done their best to help yr6 parents understand what was to be expected once on yr7.

Now I don't necessarily agree with schools being overly strict with uniform policy. But I do accept that I have to agree to follow the rules at the schools that I chose to send my kids to and if we chose not to then of course they'll be consequences.

AIBU to think it's it's completely ridiculous that this happens every bloody year?!

I find it ridiculous that school uniform is so prescriptive. Black shoes should be fine never mind the style. If the kid is comfortable that's enough.

Sending kids home or removing them from lessons over their footwear is beyond crazy.

Kids are there to learn. Unless things have changed since I was at school they don't with their feet, so let them learn.

Teachers are there to teach, I'm sure they are busy enough without monitoring the students feet.

I don't think there is a problem with ankle boots but if the policy says shoes, it means shoes. It's not that difficult.

I think that is why out school relented with them, as long as they are all black and can be polished then they are fine. They look smart and last well.

You are not alone, something like that could have been done at the start of the holidays. No excuses for that one really.

It absolutely does affect teaching and learning. So many kids nowadays see rules in schools as something they can decide they’re not following, and oftentimes they’re backed up by the parents!

seeing a lot of replies on this thread which completely makes the kids attitude make sense - if you let your kid break uniform rules the message you’re sending to them is that they don’t have to follow school rules, which believe me makes teaching almost impossible.

The odd thing about all this nonsense is that the parents who make the most fuss about uniform rules tend to also have kids who don't follow behaviour rules too. They tend to have kids who are rude to their teachers and who disrupt lessons. How strange!

@Napierbrat do you think its ok then that a child was put into isolation because his shoe broke and his mum couldnt replace it for two days

How are these without logos? Can't you see the giant swoosh on the side?!

Vivienne Westwood ballet pumps are not cheap, they are £100.

My point is, these school rules are ridiculous. There is absolutely no reason why plain black ankle boots should not be allowed.

In most circumstances no - but yet again kids will always say “my mum can’t afford to xyz” to get out of things. There are of course exceptions to any rule, for example in the case of kids who need insoles etc, but the vast majority of instances where kids are breaking these rules their parents aren’t in these circumstances, they’re simply the parents who say “oh well the Nike logo is small, your shoes don’t affect your learning, why does shoes matter etc.”

well, I see a lot, but if they were wearing ballet flats they wouldn't be

I don’t disagree that uniform issues disrupt teaching and learning. But those issues would not arise if there was either no uniform or if there was a human uniform policy.

@Redbrickrebel So, when you're chucking £150 at branded trainers for little Toby

They are £55 for the Nike ones. George st Asda are £30. Yes there is a difference, but not to the extent of your hyperbole.

Wrong pic for showing the price

I'm enjoying this thread. I was head of year for 8 years at a large mixed comprehensive in London. I spent endless hours discussing shoes with all comers! Kids, senior staff, teaching staff, admin staff, parents. Probably social workers and youth offending team, Ed pyschs, the police. (Not the band), and visitors from abroad. Its a thing everyone has an opinion one.
I once had a phone call from a parent who cleaned the windows on skyscrapers from a harness thing, he was at work and his son had been sent home for having coloured stitching on his kickers. His dad had a point it wasn't easy for him to just leave work!
I told some of my year group once if I'd known how important footware was going to be in my life I would have studied it at University instead of silly old history.
For what it is worth I didn't really find a pattern nice hardworking kids wanted to wear the wrong shoes as well as the ones who had behaviour issues in other areas.
Really everyone wants to wear comfortable trainers or trainer cross overs. I know I do. Some kids and some parents just focus on it. But mostly in schools we find parents on the whole love school uniform.
And the comments about schools wanting to control children make me laugh. Of course we are controlling them. Do you think they spontaneously put themselves into groups and enter GCSEs for the sheer love of academic achievement.

@MariaVT65 I mean, it’s was 28 degrees here today so boots is mad but add in changing fit pe and storage space plus the fact there is a uniform and they want everyone to look the same - just like in many jobs. You don’t have to agree with the rule but why fight it? Only a certain type of parent does this and they tend to have a certain type of dc.

The issue of control is systemic, tied in with the government’s (insane) focus on measurable outcomes linked that are in turn linked to pay etc etc. The ‘control’ you talk about is an entirely different and unpoisonous type - education is built around the necessary teacher - child power imbalance that facilitates mass education. But there is no reason at all that the power needs to be twisted for political ends in a way that degrades pupils.

Surely it’s about the reality that I’m life different clothing is appropriate for different occasions. So many arguing Nike black trainers are smart! Quite simply, you wouldn’t see a solicitor turn up to court in them. In my circles they wouldn’t be worn to a wedding. They are not smart and in the adult world you will be judged by others. It’s about learning those nuances.

Nike air force ones are allowed in loads of schools because they are leather and all black. They are barely more than Clark's and I do keep to the rules but the one thing I do totally agree on with the teacher that posted I can really see why kids prefer to have more of a trainer than a shoe. I barely wear shoes myself.

Or, it could instead become about valuing actions and competencies over appearance…

Edited for spelling :-)

I think it's a bit OTT to suggest kids dress as for a court appearance, they are smart enough for school and they would learn they would not be suitable for example at a job interview. They are already dressed up in blazers and most of them have a fair walk to school and back, a solicitor would not be doing that in their suit and court shoes

Because a lot of ‘school shoes’ are clunky or have edges that scrape the skin off your feet. I had a lot of trouble at school until I started wearing ankle boots, which were far more comfortable. I still have the same issue as an adult. I either wear boots or trainers. Never dress shoes.

Unless you’re wearing sandals, i’m not really sure there’s a huge difference in wearing proper school shoes and ankle boots in this weather really, apart from a few centimetres of ankle.

If rules are reasonable, then fine. If the rules are stupid, then I’ll challenge them if needed.

Plus in general, I think schools have much bigger problems than fussing over whether you can make out a black swish on a black nike shoe.

Nike trainers are very reasonable. I often get a 25% off code, there are black leather ones that are perfectly acceptable for schools that I know of for 35/40 and they would be a lot more comfortable to wear than something from Asda I would imagine.

@Rosscameasdoody SEND parents aeons most of their tie fighting for their children. My daughter has been unable to attend school for 6 months. The LA have a legal duty to provide alternative education after 15 days. We’ve had nothing. Except a rejection from the medical needs service as “autism” isn’t a reason to miss school. I’ve complained, I’ve spoken to everyone I can in the council it is going to to the ombudsman.

Her EHCP is late, which means she still has no school named. All the local one are full. The longer it is delayed the less likely we are to appeal (the appeal deadline doesn’t change even if the plan is late. Also put in a complaint to the ombudsman.

I spent two hours this morning trying to sort through various of these battles. And I’m trying to work full time and care for another child.

The year she was able to attend 100% and do well? The year the SENco was her class teacher and made the whole class inclusive, rather than lots of individual adjustments. And asks the case with many adjustments, they rarely make life worse for other children, usually they benefit everyone.

so don’t say I should fight it.