Should children have to wear school shoes?

Do you think every child should have to wear uniform school shoes or be allowed to choose what shoes they wear to school?

Most schools have a general requirement that children wear "sensible" shoes to school. These will probably be black, brown or navy leather depending on the school uniform colour. Suede shoes are often not allowed and are also difficult to keep clean. girls shoes are usually required to have a low heel no more than an inch or so high. Most schools will accept either lace up, Velcro or buckle fastenings or slip-on styles.

These rules are a good idea because if parents and children chose their own styles children would turn up for school wearing footwear that is totally unsuitable such as boots, high heels or faddy styles like crocs. High heels could be very dangerous in wet corridors or stairs and could easily result in falls and broken ankles. Crocs and heavy boots would look totally out of place with school uniform.

If all children wear similar school shoes, it doesn’t matter if children are from very rich or poorer families as they will all look the same and the less wealthy will not need to worry that they cannot afford to buy expensive fashion shoes. There will not be a parade to see who has got the best designer shoes each morning. Parents should support the school and send their children off each morning wearing suitable footwear.