No boots allowed

[PotteryLottery]

Just wondering why DD's primary school do not allow them to wear boots at school?

This means either walking to school with her complaining that her feet are cold, or changing when we get there (impossible when I realise I have left school shoes at home...)

There is probably an obvious reason for this rule but I can't think what it is!

Agreed, my daughter, now 15, has never worn trousers to school and trainers would I think look dreadful on the end of her stick legs when worn with a school dress.

Maybe the uniform overall should be more casual then. For example, ties on 5 year olds looks ridiculous. What is the point of having them?

Can she not keep a pair of school shoes in her PE bag and change when she gets in?

I can see why. They're not very good for running around in or sitting cross legged and it can get very hot in the classrooms.

I genuinely cannot see why what a pair of shoes for a primary school-aged child looks like should be important. At this kind of age, practicality is surely what you want? Why does it matter if they wear trainers with skirts? Although I cannot imagine why they want to wear skirts in the winter anyway, tbh.

DD is 8 and asked for boys shoes because she hates wet feet and loathes wearing wellies. She also has a pair of calf length leather boots which are no more clumpy than the boys shoes and stop her trousers getting wet at the bottom. I am very glad our school sees no problem with the boots, they are a useful, sensible, practical item of clothing.

Couldn't agree more!

Not allowed at DD's school either and they have to wear school shoes on the way to/from school too (private school) I asked why, because we walk to school and I am sick of changing DD's shoes at the corner of the road, just out of sight of the office think boots would be more practical. Apparently it's because "school shoes look smarter" because nothing says smart like soggy socks.

Boots not allowed here either. Youngest wears Lelli Kelly patent high boots with sparkles to school. Hand me downs from a friend at same school. Never been mentioned, mind you I send them in, in black trousers when the uniform is grey. Well I was handed them down and black looks smarter. lol

Bramwell looking smart is far more important for PR than dry feet and practicality. But then I suspect the girls aren't allowed to wear trousers there too?

There really is a bigger issue of shoe manufacturers not making equivalent shoes for girls and boys. Why is it that the majority of girls shoes are so impractical? Boys shoes are fully enclosed and much more robust. There is this pernicious assumption that girls don't need to be able to walk or run or play outside in the wet/mud.

"nothing says smart like soggy socks"

Yes, it's early indoctrination into class markers

I agree about the lack of sturdier girls school shoes on the high street. Bizarrely there's a better choice once over about size 13 - reflecting teen fashion (lots of brogues/DMs here).