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Original poster

Shoes at high school?

21 replies

BringBiscuits · 05/08/2019 21:39

What shoes do kids at secondary school? Dd is 11 and starts high school in September. Up till now it’s always been quite straightforward and a trip to Clark’s.

OP posts:
derryrose · 05/08/2019 21:48

Check the schools uniform policy. It can be quite specific on shoes and might give you a better idea of what to look for-some schools give very clear guidelines on what is allowed for footwear. I spend so much of my day as a teacher dealing with shoe issues, as pupils come to DT class wearing footwear unsuitable for the workshop. Ask in the shoeshops also for advice on what the most popular school shoes are for teenagers.

dementedpixie · 05/08/2019 21:51

My dd wears lace up brogues. This year I have bought them from Clarks but have bought from schuh too in the past

NancyJoan · 05/08/2019 21:53

All the girls at DD’s school wear lace up brogues. Startrite or Clark’s, usually.

ChippyMinton · 05/08/2019 21:57

DD started with brogues and has moved on to Dr Martens. Kickers are also popular.

Pipandmum · 05/08/2019 22:01

Our school is strict - no lace ups, no pattern, non patent. But the girls also set their own rules - no straps (what I’d call Mary Janes) once in year 7! So most had ballet style flats.

notso · 05/08/2019 22:02

Check the policy.
My DC's school is all black,
covering the foot so no ballet pumps or sandals which makes me laugh as I don't think any of them would be seen dead in sandals!
polishable so no canvas,
logos are allowed but only if they are black or they can be coloured in with black marker Hmm
DS had a bit of bother from certain teachers last year as he had boot type ones that have a very small amount of black suede trim although mostly leather. He has had the same style for the three years previously with no problem. He had to be issued with a letter from the HOY 'allowing' his shoes.

chasingseagulls · 05/08/2019 22:15

Ask parents of current pupils, friends with siblings already there. School policy is important for you, fitting in will be more important to your daughter.

At our school they must be all black, including the sole and logo. For lots of kids it has to be trainers, and most brands do an all black version. Nike Air Force Ones or Vans are particularly popular (and no less sturdy than shoes, more so even). Otherwise Doc Martens, lace up brogues. Under no circumstances is anything from Clarks socially acceptable.

dementedpixie · 05/08/2019 22:18

www.clarks.co.uk/c/Hamble-Oak/p/20346713 how would you even know these were from Clarks?? Hmm

chasingseagulls · 05/08/2019 22:29

The kids know. The child you are buying them for know, when all their friends are getting them from insert name of cool shop here Doesn't matter to you and I that they are near on identical, are probable better quality and better value for money, and I completely disagree with buying something for the label, it's not how I buy my clothes.

But I also remember being bullied and marginalised at high school because my parents refused to buy me the same as the other kids, in fact I didn't even have a choice in what was bought, and believe me it wasn't anywhere close to the fashionable version, my mum just bought me stuff she would choose for herself. It is silly and it is superficial, but it is reality.

dementedpixie · 05/08/2019 22:31

My dd doesn't give a crap tbh. Her ones from schuh last year are much the same as the Clarks ones

dementedpixie · 05/08/2019 22:32

She has never been bothered by labels and has never had comments

Richlyfruited · 05/08/2019 22:41

My dd started off with lace up brogues in yr 7 but has just gone back to wearing Mary Janes as the laces are too much faff! The ones we've just bought are a basically a slip on with a thin strap.

Fortunately there are issues at all with wearing Clarks or Start rite in her peer group. DD had those Hamble Oaks last term and all the girls we have over to our house are wearing them too!

Agree about reading the policy. Ours aren't allowed patent for some reason Hmm

Original poster
BringBiscuits · 06/08/2019 07:52

Thanks everyone. Checked school policy and it’s nit that bad: “Sensible plain black shoes (not fashion wear, pumps or trainers)”
Don’t know anyone yet with daughters at the school so didn’t know where to start.
Thank you for all the suggestions.

OP posts:
Blueandredandblue · 06/08/2019 08:12

All the girls wear kickers at my ds' school. But year 7s are usually more mixed.

Blueandredandblue · 06/08/2019 08:12

All the girls wear kickers at my ds' school. But year 7s are usually more mixed.

Sunshine1239 · 06/08/2019 10:04

Kickers or dr martins seem the norm

Not Clarks

Be careful with trainer style as our school defo doesn’t allow that type

Sunshine1239 · 06/08/2019 10:05

This shoe is the most popular across all year groups in my dds school

Shoes at high school?
Sunshine1239 · 06/08/2019 10:07

Followed by this

Shoes at high school?
Original poster
BringBiscuits · 06/08/2019 20:49

Thanks sunshine

OP posts:
Hello1290 · 06/08/2019 21:12

Kickers - they are pretty well made and seem to last.

MuseumGardens · 06/08/2019 22:03

Ditto what Hello said

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