Help me parse "school shoes" vs. trainers

[ysette9]

As a new parent newly moved to the UK, I appreciate these forums as a source of advice. My oldest is starting Year 7 and we are parsing the uniform policy. I've never experienced a shoe policy other than "wear something you can safely run and play in", so figuring out what is considered school shoes is a bit mysterious.

I looked at the example images the school provided of acceptable footwear, and it is a collection of horrifyingly ugly and horrifyingly uncomfortable/disfiguring torture devices. I want their feet to be in foot-shaped, flexible, flat shoes to promote balance and proper development. I found these shoes that seem to fit the bill, but my spouse is concerned they look too "trainer-like". Neither of us can determine what a trainer is or is not. I know the decision is ultimately up to the judges at school, but I'd love your collective input to help educate me.

These are the shoes: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187473076260 I blacked out the edges to make it more subtle. I'll see if I can figure a way to add an attachment to this post with the actual photos.

None of those in the picture of the link would pass as they all have velcro or are boots.

Hmm I’d have said the barefoot shoes pictured in your second pic are ok, or at least unlikely to cause issues. But the ones in the ebay link (with the brown rubber sole) are not.

Bear in mind these policies are mainly aimed at stopping kids wearing £120 Nike trainers - I suspect barefoot style are less likely to raise eyebrows with teachers, especially if very plain and polishable.

Other kids may think they are very uncool however but that’s a different issue

My apologies on the quality of the images; it may have been reduction in file size I did when exporting.
The shoes are leather. I could see the V on the side as counting as a logo though it is not a contrasting colour.

Can you find a Facebook group for parents at the school? Probably best place to ask.

These are ours....i'll use marker pen to cover or cut out the hobibear logo.

The stitching is white. The bottom of the sole is I assume rubber in a neutral colour as you won’t be able to use paint on that as it will wear off with daily use. They also look like trainers (though more casual tennis shoes). Have you looked at school shoes in the shops?

Generally a “trainer” has a one piece soft rubber sole. School shoes normally have a distinctive heel, although this is sometimes moulded into a single piece sole. During Covid many schools relaxed their policies and this is probably a reaction to that to reinstate the policy.

Those are trainers , as per description!

That would not be allowed at my DC’s school as it would be considered a trainer. Firstly there is a logo. Secondly the soles are not black.

However my experience of UK school shoes made by either Clarks or Start Rite are well made shoes that are flexible and width fitted to ensure a good fit.

My husband and I wear barefoot shoes but they wouldn’t be allowed for school. Go to John Lewis or Clarks or a children’s school shop and ask for school shoes.

Mmm borderline, I think the shoes you linked to look comfy but still look trainer like because of the sole.
I wouldnt risk it-school shoes to me are Clarks or startrite or something bought from a school shoe shop like Russell and Bromley, Clarks or an independent. But then I'm a dinasaur!
Basically black leather with a black sole, no branding and a shoe not a boot.

At my school (and every school I have taught in) they would need to be fully black.

OP I really recommend going and getting your children’s feet measured and professionally fitted rather than buying online. The leading brands for school shoes in the UK are Clarks and Startrite, department stores will also stock other brands like Geox (which I have found to be very well made). Get in quick as it can be fairly hectic at this time of year. Our secondary is pretty strict on the ‘no trainers’ front. Nevertheless even the very formal looking shoes from places like Clarks have been made with kids feet in mind (eg padding on heels to avoid chafing).

None of those do barefoot shoes
shes wanting foot shaped shoes with a minimal sole and no heel
theres some here

https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/froddo-kids-barefoot-school-lace-up-shoe.html

Do you know anyone at the school already? My dd’s official uniform policy turned out to be much stricter on paper than in reality, so we were worrying about shoes, as it even specified sole thickness. But we asked a friend’s son who was already there and he said no one cares and he was right. So if there’s any way to check try that. I feel the same re not wanting super restrictive shoes so I was relieved.

They don't look like school shoes to me, sorry OP.

Depends on the school really, I think these are fine and would be fine at my DDs school- but if your school is very strict they might say these count as trainers/not “smart” enough.
Probably better to get more of a formal school shoe to be safe.

They are trainers. Leather trainers but trainers non the less. After he’s been there a few weeks he will be able to see from the other kids if he would be able to wear them but you don’t want to send him on the first day of high schoolers in shoes he isn’t allowed to wear.

My kids also went to primary school overseas and we moved here when dd was in year seven. She started a few weeks after term started. I wanted her to fit in at school so I took her to a shoe shop, Clarks, and asked the lady for advice. She put her in Brogues. My dd couldn’t believe her eyes as she had worn running shoes or sandals all the way through primary. She was saying to the lady ‘I can’t wear these policeman’s shoes with a skirt’ and the lady was telling her she absolutely could and it would be fine and that’s what everyone else was wearing. And they were and it was fine. And she was perfectly comfortable despite never having worn proper shoes.

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/kids-school-shoes/older-girls-school-shoes/s_oldergirls_uk-c this gives you some idea of what styles might typically be acceptable, although they may want polishable leather not patent.

I’m afraid that I think they are trainers. They also have a logo. Aside from being well-worn.

Head to John Lewis website, filter boys school
shoes, filter to laces, and that’s what you need to buy. Proper shoes. They don’t need to be uncomfortable, they can be properly fitted.

If you’re new to the UK you’ll need to know that uniform is about conforming and it doesn’t matter if you agree or not, or it’s uncomfortable, or the rules seem daft (eg our school has real issues about sock height; not knee, not ankle, not mid-calf….) You just need to follow them without looking for loopholes. Once you’re settled in you can see what can perhaps flex and what they’re strict about.

We got these ones for DS which are M&S school shoes but the description does describe them as trainer-like and they probably wouldn't pass in many schools. Ours will be fine with them

https://www.marksandspencer.com/kids-lace-up-leather-school-shoes-13-small-9-large-/p/clp60676595?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

If it's a UK school many of the staff go back for training days tomorrow so you could email the school and check with them.

I remember showing a child what I meant by ‘school shoes’ and he said ‘oh! Funeral shoes’.
He then told his mum he needed funeral shoes.
Noone at home knew the difference between trainers and shoes.
Luckily (?!?!) he had funeral shoes at home. All good.

My child’s school wants all black shoes or trainers inc stitches and labels, so I use a marker pen (Sharpie style) to colour in labels and stitches, which can help if buying Dr Martens with yellow stitching.
mine currently wears Cat chelsea style boots.

Not the point of the thread, but wouldn't it be great if school teachers and their leadership teams focused in stretching intellect, strong and sensible pastoral care and educational excellence rather than the shoes worn with the polyester monstrosities so well branded.

WTF does it matter if a shoe is trad or trainer like or even an ankle boot. Surely what matters is whether young people are learning and comfortable.

@Fitzcarraldo353they wouldn’t be allowed at our school.

@ysette9no trainers allowed at our school. My boys have to wear the type of shoes that you would expect men in offices to wear with suits. UK schools are often quite strict over uniform. So if it’s no trainers, it will be nothing that looks like trainers. I will be honest and say that those shoes you have linked are not likely to be popular with year 7 boys so if you send him in with them he is likely to be the only one.