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Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

Plimsoll nightmares

22 replies

MrsMattie · 26/08/2009 11:14

So I've started buying things off the vast list of things my PFB needs for starting reception in a fortnight's time.

Need black plimsolls for PE. Only problem is, DS's feet are an H width and all plimsolls everywhere (as far as I can see) are narrow and will hurt his feet.

Shall I just tell the teacher he cant wear plimsolls and will need to wear some other, well fitted footwear? Or do wide fitting plimsolls exist?

I can't believe I am stressing about this.

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bigchris · 26/08/2009 11:17

which shops have you tried?

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bigTillyMint · 26/08/2009 11:17

I think the plimsolls must stretch alot - my DS has quite wide feet and he never complains that they are too tight/hurt him.
Some shops do different types - M&S had a boy-loafer-type one this time that looked a bit wider.

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doggiesayswoof · 26/08/2009 11:18

TBH I would just get him trainers or whatever fits and don't even tell the teacher.

I was a tiny bit obsessed with "regulation" uniform before DD started school. Then I realised that although the vast majority of kids wear the uniform, there is a fair bit of flexibility.

I don't think most sane teachers would pick you up on this and if she/he does then you can explain.

OTOH it depends on the school - DD's encourages the uniform but is relaxed round the edges.

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MrsMattie · 26/08/2009 11:20

Tesco, Asda, John Lewis, Clarks, Mothercare.

All looked like they'd cut his feet to shreds. The broadest part of his foot is very broad.

It's a fairly relaxed state primary, not Eton , so I'm hoping they won't expel him for wearing trainers instead...

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bigTillyMint · 26/08/2009 11:21

Try M&S, and if not, he probably could wear velcro trainers?

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doggiesayswoof · 26/08/2009 11:22

Probably be fine then.
I was confused about PE as there wasn't specific advice, just soft soled shoes. So DD has plimsolls for wearing in class and bright pink trainers for PE. (her choice)

Now I am wondering why I let her persuade me to spend the best part of £30 on trainers she will wear twice a week for half an hour

What a dolt I am

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quietmum · 26/08/2009 13:51

I had the opposite problem as my daughter's feet are so narrow. So last year as I couldn't find any to fit her, I didn't bother buying any. They do PE inside in bare feet anyway and need trainers for outside PE in summer, so it worked out quite well really.

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PleaseMrsButler · 26/08/2009 13:55

I thought that clarkes did some in different widths (in their doodles range).

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haggisaggis · 26/08/2009 13:56

My dd no longer wears plimsolls for PE as the physio who saw her said they are really bad for children's feet and trainers are much better. So if the school kick up a fuss you can always try them with that.

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PleaseMrsButler · 26/08/2009 13:59

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Madsometimes · 26/08/2009 14:57

My dd1 has narrow feet, but all the plimsols seemed to be in a standard fitting. In reception and year 1 I put her in plimsols and she would fall over during PE. Ever since Y2 I have used trainers, now she can actually take part properly in her PE lessons. The is no point in putting children into shoes which shred their feet or fall off them.

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TheProfiteroleThief · 26/08/2009 14:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

neolara · 26/08/2009 15:05

My dd has wide feet (H fitting I think). I get her plimsols from John Lewis, but the ones that have a flap that fold over the front, not the ones with the elasticated bit. They have always seemed to fit OK and only cost £2.50. The shoe fitter said the plimsols' sizing are a bit random so sometimes you need to try on a few different sizes to find one that works.

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MrsMattie · 26/08/2009 16:31

Thanks all.

They never seem to have Doodles in my son's size 13H (big feet!).

I'll go back to JL and see what they say.

Might have to settle for trainers, though.

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ilove · 26/08/2009 16:32

www.schoolpumps.co.uk

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PleaseMrsButler · 26/08/2009 16:36

Definately agree that sizing is random.

I have DTDs whose shoe size is typically 1/2 a size different from each other. I can NEVER buy them from the same shop unless I go to Clarks where I can get 1/2 sizes. And I can't necessarily get them from the same place 2 terms in a row either.

I loathe plimsoll shopping with a passion

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Clary · 26/08/2009 20:29

Clarks do fitted ones, they have a velcro strap which allows some ease of fiting.

IIRC they only do E and F but it's worth a try. DS1 was a G fitting (still is) and the F fits him OK. They only wear them forabout an hour a week anyway

WOW MrsM, size 13 at FS2! That is big.

A pal of DS2's wore size 7 - that's small size 7 (he's quite petite tho)

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MrsMattie · 26/08/2009 20:31

Thanks. Going to investigate on Friday.

I know, he is a huge boy!@Clary. He is in 7 yr old's clothes nd he's only 4.5 yrs old.

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Littlefish · 26/08/2009 20:37

Check whether he will actually need them to start with, before you buy any. PE in the hall is almost always done in bare feet. At my school, plimsolls rarely get used until the summer term when we start doing PE outside.

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expatinscotland · 26/08/2009 20:41

I had the opposite problem. I have two girls with C and D width feet. EVERYTHING was too wide. Had to get Start Rite ones.

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Lindax · 26/08/2009 21:17

clarks doodles are in a F and G width fitting and with the velcro strap you may get away with it. you can order online from clarks.co.uk for free delivery to the store (dont pay for shoes until fitted in shop) - means you know the size you need will be there when you go in.

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louii · 26/08/2009 21:24

My DS has H width feet and the clarks plimsoles are to narrow for him.

I got him a pair from Asda, they are in a few different colours and are nice and wide.

direct.asda.com/george/shoes/kids-shoes/boys/canvas-pumps/GEM11642,default,pd.html

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