School shoes

[goodsea]

Is this the right place? Secondary school board seems more about school places.

First child off to secondary in September. I'm so old and out of touch that I'm not sure what the kids as wearing to school these days. School uniform guides seem to suggest trainers ok if all black -- but where should we be looking? Boots are banned. When I was at school it was all about kickers.

Thanks @TokyoSushi v helpful

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I'm definitely overthinking it (as with everything) and still remain confused, as I think trainers can or could also be all of the things listed as reasons why ballet pumps are ok aside from perhaps being too casual? - but that is rather de-railing thread.

I simply want my daughter to have shoes that fit/ support her feet and keep her dry-ish, that don't flout the dress code but that crucially (for me!) don't mark her out as totally uncool either. I didn't think that was super controversial or mean I have lazy beliefs or that I have some vendetta against teachers but I shall certainly bear this in mind when we deal with staff in September.

(Clearly overthinking!)

That’s fine don’t worry about it, I did read it and thought it’s clearly not for me. I’m also a secondary school teacher and have worked in schools that not allow and don’t allow trainers and it’s interesting to see both viewpoints. The one that didn’t allow were for all the reasons you give. The one that has allowed trainers their argument was, having many families living in poverty, the students would have trainers for weekends anyway, and it was better to allow the parents to buy one pair of good quality trainers that will last 2/3years then have them have to buy a pair of cheap shoezone shoes every couple of months because the students wreck them, and the parents won’t prioritise good quality school shoes.

*that both allow and not allow - clearly I don’t teach English and speed typing 😂

It is black Air Force Ones in my daughter’s school and we agreed to buy them to help her feel she could fit in. However, the quality is awful for the price. They look scruffy and they smell. In hindsight I wish I had insisted on the black leather Vans.

My DDs has Clark's school shoes throughout. The youngest, who finished y13 last year, even had them for the 6th form.

Yes boots are not allowed in my daughters academy, same as kickers. The problem is my girls only want to wear hard sole Mary Jane or t - bar shoes like junior lelli Kelly or kickers. To be fair it makes sense as they last whole year, are waterproof and I'm happy to buy them rather than changing every 3 months. I mostly buy lelli Kelly but recently got some kickers as I got some good deals on them. I will either paint over tags or remove them if necessary.

Just contact the school and ask what the rules are re shoes, trainers etc

@Ireallydohope the uniform code just says all black shoes or trainers.

I was looking for guidance as to what kids were actually wearing since last time I set foot in a secondary school it was the 90s. I just wanted to be prepared for what the "wants" might be so I can work out what I think of it ahead of time.

We think we're going to get black leather converse. They're somewhat waterproof and lace up properly.

@Moni81 are your girls at secondary?

If my dds next school allowed trainers I'd be all for it. Comfy, supportive, challenging also be worn at weekends for social without looking like school shoes. Also means they don't need to carry gym shoes. All black trainers make way more sense than crappy little ballet flats.

However dds next school just says black shoes, no trainers. So we will go for a loafer.

@goodsea from September they both will be in high school. It's Christian academy, they are strict with uniform, appearance etc. Which is fine, I just want to be able to choose long lasting, comfortable shoes that girls actually want to wear. Patent leather, good quality hard sole is must and I find Lelli kelly junior or kickers best for that.

My girls find hard wear t-bar or Mary Jane best fit, loafers are good too mut they must fit well otherwise can go floppy after while.

Just bought new pair, last one lasted her whole year, do it's well worth it. I always search for good deal, and never pay more than £30 as they can be quite expensive. Bought some kickers too, you can find ones with black logo rather than red and green.

Lots of the kids wear Kickers at DD's school (low cut style because boots aren't allowed). But also plenty of lace up brogues, ballet flats (agree these aren't a good choice OP because not supportive and rubbish in the rain), loafers and Mary Janes. DD wears some chunky Geox brogues.
I think whether kids give each other a hard time about having the "wrong" shoes or whatever is very much down to the culture of the school. We're really lucky in that there doesn't seem to be any of that mean girl/cliquey stuff at school and they're all pretty accepting of each other.

@WhereAreWeNow I don't think kids really care what shoes others wear. It's only matter what suits an individual best and if it fits into uniform guidance.

Black vans or converse ( leather preferably)