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The Shoelist Edit

Questions & Answers

Everything you need to know about school shoe lists, fitting, subscriptions & more.

Frequently Asked

Questions

01 Where can I find back to school shoe sales?

Back to School Shoe Sales Back to school shoe sales typically occur during late summer, particularly in July and August, leading up to the new school year. Here are the best places to find these sales: Major Retailers Shoe retailers like Clarks, Schuh, and Office often run dedicated back-to-school promotions Dep…

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02 Where can I find black flat school shoes?

Black Flat School Shoes You can find black flat school shoes at various retailers including: High street shoe shops such as Clarks, Shoezone, and Deichmann Department stores like Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, and Debenhams Uniform specialists such as Stevensons or Trutex Supermarkets with clothing departments…

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03 Where can I find black leather school trainers?

Black Leather School Trainers for School Wear Black leather trainers are not acceptable as school shoes according to most school uniform policies. Even if they are marketed as "school shoes," black leather trainers (including brands like Converse or Vans) do not meet the requirements for formal school footwear. What …

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04 Where can I find black patent school shoes?

Where to Find Black Patent School Shoes Black patent school shoes can be found at various retailers that specialize in school uniforms and children's footwear. Here are some options: High Street Retailers Clarks - Offers a wide range of patent school shoes with trained staff to assist with proper fitting M&S - G…

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05 Where can I find black pumps for school uniforms?

Finding Black Shoes for School Uniforms Black school shoes for uniforms can be found at several retailers, but it's important to understand what's acceptable before making a purchase. What Makes Acceptable School Shoes? School uniform shoes should be: Plain black, made of full leather or leather-style material th…

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06 Where can I find black school shoes for girls?

Finding Black School Shoes for Girls Black school shoes for girls can be found at various retailers including: High street shoe shops (Clarks, Schuh, etc.) Department stores (John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams) Uniform specialists Supermarkets with clothing sections (Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco) Online re…

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07 Where can I find Boots school shoes for children?

Finding Boots School Shoes for Children Boots sells a range of school shoes for children in their stores and online. You can find Boots school shoes through the following options: Where to Shop Visit a Boots store with a children's footwear section Shop online at boots.com and search for "school shoes" in the ch…

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08 Where can I find boys lace up school shoes?

Boys Lace-Up School Shoes Boys lace-up school shoes can be found at a variety of retailers both online and in physical stores. Based on school requirements, here are some recommended options: Recommended Retailers: Shoe Zone - offers the Beckett Leather lace-up shoes for approximately £20 Sports Direct - sells …

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09 Where can I find boys leather school shoes?

Boys Leather School Shoes Boys leather school shoes can be found at a variety of retailers, both in-store and online. Here are some recommended places to look: High Street Retailers Clarks - Offers a wide range of formal school shoes specifically designed for boys M&S - Provides durable leather school shoes in v…

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10 Where can I find boys navy school shoes?

Where to Find Boys' Navy School Shoes The school uniform policy specifies that all school shoes must be plain black (not navy), full leather or polishable leather substitutes. These shoes should be formal in style and appropriate for a business environment, with no obvious branding. School Shoe Requirements When pur…

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The Shoelist Guide

How to Choose, Measure & Fit School Shoes

A parent’s definitive guide to getting school shoes right — from measuring at home to spotting the perfect fit in-store. Five steps, no guesswork.

01

Measuring Your Child’s Feet

Children’s feet can grow up to two full sizes in a single year. Last term’s size is almost certainly wrong.

Time it right

Measure in the afternoon when feet are at their largest after a full day of activity.

Stand, don’t sit

Full weight on both feet spreads the foot and gives a true reading.

Use a proper gauge

A Brannock device or printable gauge — heel against the back stop, read length and width.

Measure both feet

One foot is often larger. Always fit to the bigger foot, wearing school socks.

02

Choosing the Right Style

Always check your school’s specific requirements before purchasing.

Material

Genuine leather or quality synthetic. Avoid canvas for daily wear.

Sole

Flexible, non-marking rubber. Should bend at the ball, not the middle.

Fastening

Velcro for younger children, lace-ups for older. Slip-ons lack hold.

Colour

Plain black for most schools. No coloured stitching or metallic finishes.

Toe Box

Rounded or wide gives growing toes room. Pointed styles cause problems.

Weight

Lighter shoes reduce fatigue for children on their feet all day.

03

The Perfect Fit Checklist

Run through every check before committing. Tick them off as you go.

04

In-Store vs. Online

In-Store
  • Trained fitters assess gait, arch & width
  • Calibrated gauges for accuracy
  • Instant try-on and walk test
  • Expert advice on foot issues
vs
Online
  • Wider selection & price comparison
  • Check brand size charts carefully
  • Choose generous returns policies
  • Try both shoes before removing tags
Editor’s tip: Use our shop finder to locate specialist children’s shoe retailers near you. Many offer free measuring even if you don’t buy on the day.
05

When to Replace

Even the best shoes have a shelf life. Watch for these warning signs:

Sore feet or blisters Toes pressing the front Sole worn smooth Heel counter collapsed Upper cracked or leaking
Rule of thumb — check the fit every 6–8 weeks during term and always re-measure at the start of each school year.
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