Shoe query!

[whatsitallabout1]

Opinions please....dd has worn these shoes for the last 2.5 years of school (not the same pair - they have been re-incarnated!). She had a minor issue with restricted tendons a couple of years ago and the physio prescribed heel inserts and they needed lace up shoes. These shoes were perfect. That is now resolved but I would still rather she wore something supportive rather than slip-ons. Since these are comfortable she hasn't (yet! she's 14...no doubt it'll come!) objected to these. School have now decided they look "too trainerish". Do they?!

shoes in question

very borderline, I guess they could have chosen to turn a blind eye as a one off, but not if you keep getting them.

at over £60 though

I’d say too trainerish.

THey do look a bit trainerish

Dd who is a training as a dancer & has hypermobile ankles & high arches so needs very good suppptive shoes wears Start Rite or Geox brogues. They are supportive & hard wearing.

Not too trainerlike looking to me... you have special issues. Could the school not be sympathetic about that? Get a letter from the physio?

I guess school overlooked it because of the issues. But if that’s now resolved as the OP said then now she needs something else?

DDS shoes

m.johnlewis.com/geox-lace-up-brogue-black/p2049417

My DD wears very similar shoes to those with no objections....in my opinion they are leather, flat, black and hard wearing ...I personally think the ballet slipper style create feet issues in later life because they don't provide support and never fit properly (my DD is fussy over what shoes she wears in terms of they have to fit properly). I would drop a letter to the school stating that these shoes helped your DD's foot problems and you would not like them to re-occur. Most of these issues are because the school do not want to set a precedent but I think you have a reason to justify continuation of wearing the same shoes.

They look fine to me.

They look fine to me too. Can you email in saying that she needs inserts in her shoes and are restricted to those that fit the insoles and fit the uniform requirements? When I get emails like this, I alert my colleagues so that the student in question is not embarrassed or put under any pressure as it is a perfectly reasonable request.

Shoes seem such an issue in secondary

They look fine to me. Sort of things most girls in ds school wear. Also the converse black leather lace ups.

Another secondary near me would have you in isolation for even thinking they'd be acceptable

they are black trainers, not school shoes. sorry.

The link from the manufacturer actually describes as shoes which is all that matters...they are NOT trainers even though they may look like them....
Product Description
Light and comfortable, soft leather shoe. Dip technology gives unique flexibility and comfort. Decorative perforations provide a modern twist.

Exact same shoes in a different colour called ‘sneakers’.

www.amazon.co.uk/Ecco-Babett-Womens-Sneakers-GREY02375/dp/B015XTXU9U/?tag=mumsnetforum-21

The style, especially from the back would come under ‘trainer’ at my school.

The link from the manufacturer actually describes as shoes which is all that matters.

So Nike could just brand their trainers as shoes and they would have to be accepted in schools. lol ummm NO

What is the obsession that English schools have with school shoes? Those honestly look like a sturdy non fashion item in a plain black colour and to be honest, like the choice of a middle aged woman. How those have any negative impact on learning or discipline i have no idea.

Sigh. If she was tottering around in high heels, they'd be moaning about that too, wouldn't they?!

They look very sturdy and sensible to me. Not a glamour shoe, by any stretch of the imagination, and they look like they would be good for feet. As for looking 'trainerish': well, maybe a little bit. It's borderline. At the same time, they don't actually look good enough as trainers to be worn for PE. So shoes, then.

Why are they getting all officious about it now? Having let it go for such a long time, surely you could be forgiven for thinking they are ok.

I really really am not looking forward to dealing with all this tedious pettiness when my DD is old enough for school.

Out of interest I looked at what my DD's school shoe policy is :

All school shoes must be black leather and heels should be flat. Shoes should enclose the foot and remain securely on the foot. They may have a strap around the ankle, a T-bar or be lace-ups...

Hence why I guess she has no issues wearing those type of shoes...

It doesn't matter how many of us here click the link and give views on how to describe the footwear and what out schools' uniform policies are.

OP's school has said these shoes are unacceptable. The issue which led to need for orthotics has been resolved - and even if it hadn't been, orthotics fit very well in brogues and other lace ups which are unmistakeably shoes (eg those sold by Geox).

You will need to get footwear to which the school does not object.

If your school has said your dd can’t wear them then that’s the end of that. There are countless options that aren’t a ballerina style pump or a slip on.

What about the ones Alexander linked to? Or a Clarks brogue. Doctor Martens also make a sensible school shoe.

www.drmartens.com/uk/p/originals-shoes-smooth-1461-pw

yes they are
there are dozens of lace up brogues that are the same price or similar

Thanks everyone. School haven't yet said she can't wear them, she's been told to report to the member of staff who has the joyful job of deciding whether they are acceptable or not. Since I think they're at least borderline I will see if they will agree to wearing these until they wear out /are grown out of and then get something chunkier. Thanks for your opinions!