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We know what you thinking… “we’ve only just broken up for the summer, I don’t need to worry about the new school term yet.”
However, before you know it, the weeks will creep past, and you’ll be panic buying and left with little or no choice of what’s left in the shops. Read our guide to ensure getting back to school goes as smoothly as possible.
Every child’s foot is unique, it’s important to get the right shoes to avoid future foot problems.
We always recommend getting your children’s shoes fitted by a trained specialist. They do more than just measure your feet. They’ll look at the whole foot, taking into consideration instep, and wide or narrow foot shape, and then be able to make the correct shoe selection for your child’s needs.
School shoes will be worn all day, every weekday for up to two terms depending on how fast your children’s feet grow. Getting the fit right will ensure you get the most value from your shoes. They will accommodate growing feet and the rough and tumble of the school playground. Poorly fitting shoes can end up costing you more money in the long run as you may need to buy new shoes sooner.
Online or in-store?
One of the main causes of foot problems is ill-fitting shoes that have been bought directly, so we always recommend that you visit our store to have your children’s shoes fitted. However, we understand that some people may be protecting their family and may not wish to be fitted instore. So, we have made some styles available for purchase online.
lease read our guide to fitting your children’s shoes here.
Avoid disappointment and book an appointment.
The back-to-school season is an incredibly busy time of year. We recommend you book an appointment at the earliest opportunity. Don’t be tempted to leave it till the week before school starts under the view that your children’s feet will grow over the summer (see point 4 below). If you leave it until the last minute, you may find limited sizes and styles left, particularly if your child does have tricky feet.
Book an appointment and read our booking policy here.
Breaking in period
Feet need to get used to a structured shoe especially if they have been wearing other footwear during the holidays.
Additionally, feet can change shape throughout the day and can have growth spurts, so it’s important to try the shoes again indoors at different times before term starts. This will highlight any discomfort and avoid any blisters/pain in the first few days of school.
Please check feet after wearing indoors for any visible signs of rubbing and that they still fit - if there are any marks or concerns or if feet have grown, please return to our store with your child, shoes (including the box), and receipt where we can check shoes and exchange if necessary.
For more information about please read our guide to buying new shoes here.
Check your school’s uniform policy
Before you buy shoes, it’s worth checking your child’s school uniform policy about colours and styles that are acceptable. Flashing lights on the soles, fancy stitching, and other details may not be acceptable.
Shoe care & accessories
To ensure you get the most value from your children’s shoes, we recommend that you look after them with our range of polishes and creams which will keep them looking shiny and new. We also stock labels to ensure they don’t get lost or mixed up.