Uniform rules year 11 opinions please

[Pettyrules]

Dc in year 11, last day will be 17th June. The soles have come away on dcs shoes so they're letting water in.

Very politely asked the school if trainers could be worn. Explained reasoning that couldn't afford to buy new shoes which won't be used again after June.

Answer was a flat out 'no', and that any pupils not in correct uniform would be stopped from entering their exams and attending any end of year celebrations.

Overly harsh or sensible of school?

Well yeah, but easier to focus on an exam with comfy feet I'd imagine than in broken shoes.

I wouldn't put it past a school to turn a pupil away because I've read stories online where they've been turned away or made to do the exam in bare feet.

He could wear trainers in and change although just don't want any trouble if he forgets to change.

I will sort something out. I believe it's petty and feel like being petty back (but I won't)

There should be a bit of common sense applied imo.

That's the trouble isn't it. Once a few do it the whole of year 11 will be in trainers, then the other years who say they can't afford new shoes.

Still annoying when you're genuine.

I absolutely hate schools like this. I don't think our school would do this, although they are getting harsher with uniform rules. My DS destroys shoes regularly so has had quite a few periods of time where he's in trainers waiting for the new ones to arrive (I buy from Vinted). So far he's been excused. We are also in an area where there is some real deprivation so school (so far) is mindful of this.

OP just stick / tape his shoes together. Or can you see if there are are any for sale on local selling sites / does he have a friend with a pair he can borrow?

Would it really be an issue if the whole of Year 11 were in trainers? I remember we were allowed to wear what we wanted for exam times. Whatever we felt the most comfortable in.

That's what I think. What does it matter?

They would get into big trouble if a pupil missed an exam because they had made a fuss like this. I work in education and understand exactly how this works. The child’s parents might have a case to sue the school if they missed an external examination due to circumstances like the op is discussing

WTAF?!!! This is complete madness. Can you ask the school if they have a pot that would fund his shoes? Schools often have funds for helping kids with things like school trips etc. I appreciate you might not want to approach them but given it is their stupid rule putting you in this situation I absolutely would. It makes me so cross on your behalf. If no joy with the school, contact the Chair if the Governors and ask if they know of any. Embarrass them into seeing how ridiculous this is. My daughter’s school sit their exams in their own clothes. (I’m actually not happy about this as I’m worried she’ll be stressing about what to wear on top of exam stress!!)

This feelings like taking funding from another in need child though to prove a point.

Some schools have strict uniform policies, some don’t. These policies are on their websites. Choose the schools you want your children to go to wisely ! If you don’t like their policies, generally best to choose other schools.

I knew that someone would be along to say this.

There really isn't much choice, you get given the nearest school to your house whether you like it or not.

Plus new headteachers change uniform policies.

We've always adhered to uniform rules anyway.

No, the OP has said they can’t afford new shoes right now.

Has he got prom shoes that would be acceptable at school? I'd go with this and make it very clear they are not to be scuffed.

Madness
DCs school allows them to wear “home clothes” (sixth form uniform standards) for all of the exams.

Yes but he’s also only got two weeks or so left to wear them.

Glue them, go to a show repair shop who will have suitable glue to last a few weeks

You need the kind of flexible glue that bends - Poundland sell a version. Otherwise Google shoe glue.
I agree the uniform rules are ridiculous. They’re totally out of date.

my 18 yr olds feet have not stopped growing.

Sensible black shoes will still be useful. Presumably there is a prom so get prom suitable shoes

School threats weren't quite so draconian but I emailed DS1's form tutor (not actually realising she was also Head of Inclusion) after 3 or 4 behaviour points emails about his shoes (very similar position, though uniform does allow plain trainers) saying we would get him some on payday (around the beginning of May half term each year. Lovely form tutor got this agreed. His last GCSE was in mid-June I think. We never actually got round to getting the shoes - we might have been able to find something he'd have worn again if we had.

As for choosing schools wisely, it's not that easy. Schools in poorer areas often have stricter criteria, and the ones that have no uniform are miles away.

I was glad he didn't choose the sixth form with a "business dress" code though. Lots of day jobs don't involve wearing suits and ties every day, and many kids are capable of getting dressed up when they need to. Money can be an issue for buying smart clothes if they're not needed day to day.

Yes it seems petty but it is common for schools to insist on shoes.

Send him in trainers and tell him to change when he gets to school. I’m sure he won’t forget, but if he does, as soon as anyone mentions it he can change them.

Schools with this policy often have shoes the kids can use temporarily so thats worth asking about as well.

You do have a way to adhere to their rules without needing to pay for new shoes so it’s just as petty if you were to cause a fuss.

The important thing is that there’s no drama at exam time. Parents arguing with the school whilst kids need their full focus on exams/revision isn’t going to help.

I was glad he didn't choose the sixth form with a "business dress" code though. Lots of day jobs don't involve wearing suits and ties every day, and many kids are capable of getting dressed up when they need to. Money can be an issue for buying smart clothes if they're not needed day to day.

Could not agree with this more. Sixth form dress standards are often stricter and frankly more bizarre than anything in a business dress policy. Blouses needing to have buttons and not allowing jumpers under jackets unless also worn with a collared shirt or blouse is nonsense.

But of course it keeps out the wrong sort of families.

Slightly different now, with the expansion of 'office job' apprenticeships, but it always struck me when 'business dress' became a thing for sixth forms that almost the only ones who would be having to dress like that on leaving school, especially from the more academically aspirational schools, would be those not going to university.

Interestingly, the two girls' grammars locally, which formerly had either a reasonably relaxed sixth for dress code and a 'business dress' code, respectively, have moved to requiring proper uniform - School A via a brief period of 'business dress' to a uniform very similar to the main school one, School B (very suddenly, the September after DD left) to a completely different one. We live between School B and the station, and it took me ages to work out where all these young people in their 'foreign' uniform were going.

The two boys' grammars have never not had their sixth formers in uniform, AFAIK.

I've come back to this thread because I decided to take a different approach with the school after trying unsuccessfully to glue the school shoes when they fell apart again.

I emailed the office last time, which got me the 'No way, José' response. I hand wrote a note to the form tutor saying 'Please allow x to wear black trainers to school for the remaining few days. His school shoes are damaged beyond repair and I'm unable to replace them immediately. Thank you for your understanding.' Form tutor agreed without question, and told my son to carry the note with him in case any other staff members question him.

Take the old shoes in a bag and change just for the exam? Or a note - I’ve given DD a note because she had a blister on her foot.

If this had been my school I’d have cautioned against malpractice. I’d argue that blocking a child from sitting an exam through lack of uniform is prejudice & breaches the first 2 points in malpractice definition and the last one also. Schools already billed for the exam. To refuse the child doesn’t save them money, damages scores overall and opens them up to malpractice investigation.