A good school shoe fits the child’s foot now, with a little room to grow, holds the heel firmly and fastens securely so the foot cannot slide forward. Children wear school shoes for six or more hours a day, so a shoe that is too small, too big or too loose makes itself felt quickly.
Measure both feet before you buy, fit the larger one and leave roughly an index finger’s width of space at the toe. Then check the heel, the width and the fastening once the shoes arrive, before your child wears them outdoors.
Children’s feet grow in spurts, so check the fit regularly rather than waiting for complaints.
Measuring at home
Advice from NHS children’s podiatry services includes these points:
- Measure in the afternoon or early evening, when feet are at their largest.
- Use the socks or tights your child will wear to school.
- Measure both feet. It is normal for them to differ by half a size or more. Fit the larger foot; an insole can take up space in the other shoe.
- Stand, do not sit. Have your child stand with weight on both feet, heel against a wall, and mark the longest toe on a sheet of paper.
- Use the brand’s chart. Sizes vary between brands, so a measurement from one shop is a guide, not a promise.
Children’s shoe sizes in the UK run from infant sizes up to 13, then start again at 1 and continue into adult sizes. Many brands, including Hush Puppies, label their school shoes junior or senior to match these ranges.
Checking the fit
Once the shoes are on and fastened, with your child standing:
- Toe room: about an index finger’s width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. That looks generous, but a well fastened shoe stops the foot sliding forward.
- Heel: your little finger, up to the first knuckle, should fit behind the heel, and the heel should not slip out when your child walks.
- Width: feel across the widest part of the foot. The shoe should be snug, not pinching, and the upper should not bulge.
- Walking: watch from behind as your child walks. A small gap at the ankle is fine as long as the heel stays in place.
Signs a shoe no longer fits include red marks on the toes or heel, worn holes at the toe, toes curled when standing and a child who keeps taking the shoes off.
Fastenings by age
| Fastening | Suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Velcro (touch fastening) | Younger children | Quick to do up alone; check straps still grip after months of use |
| Buckle | Younger and junior | Secure, but slower for small hands |
| Laces | Older children | Most adjustable; only works if they are tied every time |
| Slip on | Older children | Easy, but a slip on that is loose enough to kick off does not hold the foot well |
Whatever the fastening, it needs to hold the foot back in the heel of the shoe. A shoe that is not fastened properly lets the foot slide forward and squash the toes.
Materials
- Leather uppers are durable and can be polished, which helps them last through a school year of playground wear.
- Patent leather has a glossy coated finish that wipes clean easily but is less breathable and can crease.
- Synthetic uppers are cheaper and lighter; check the stitching and sole bond.
- Soles: rubber soles give better grip than hard plastic on wet playgrounds. A sole that bends at the ball of the foot, not in the middle, gives better support.
Looking after school shoes
- Undo the fastening fully before taking shoes off to protect the heel.
- Let shoes dry naturally if they get wet, away from radiators.
- Polish leather regularly and wipe patent with a damp cloth.
- Keep a second pair of shoes for PE, rainy days or after school, such as trainers or summer sandals from the Crocs range. The Shoes section has more casual styles.
- Do not hand shoes down if they have worn into the shape of another child’s foot.
Quick checklist
- Measure both feet in the afternoon, standing, with school socks.
- Fit the larger foot.
- About a finger’s width at the toe.
- Heel held firmly, little finger fits behind it.
- Fastening suited to your child’s age, done up every time.
- Rubber sole with grip, bending at the ball of the foot.
- Check the fit regularly and before each new term.
For adult sizes and conversions between UK and EU sizes, see the shoe size guide. The Hush Puppies range lists junior and senior school shoes in UK sizes.
Common questions
How much growing room should school shoes have?
About an index finger’s width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe, measured with your child standing and the shoe fastened. More than that and the foot can slide; less and the shoes will be outgrown quickly.
How often should children’s feet be measured?
NHS podiatry guidance says the feet of children under three grow quickly and their shoe size should be checked every two to three months. For older children, check the fit regularly and whenever they complain or show marks on their feet.
Can my child wear hand me down school shoes?
It is best avoided. Shoes mould to the first wearer’s foot and the heel and sole wear to their walking pattern, so they may not support another child’s foot well.
