This Girl’s Shoes Were Deemed ‘Too Chunky’ for School

Eleven-year-old Georgia Bradbury probably didn’t think she was inappropriately dressed for school when she headed off to class at Chepstow School in Chepstow, South Wales, but she wound up getting a uniform warning that day — all because of the shoes she was wearing.

According to the Mirror, Bradbury got in trouble because the school believed her shoes were too chunky and “deemed unfit because they cannot be polished.” Now, children across the world go to school in shoes that can’t be polished and somehow that doesn’t keep them from learning. Furthermore, according to Bradbury’s mother, there isn’t anything in the dress code rules that says shoes must be polished.

The rules include “a school blazer with the logo, a light blue school shirt, school trousers that are not leggings, denim, jeggings, jean look, stretch material or tight fitting, a knee-length skirt that is not stretch material or tight fitting, a school tie in house colors and black leather or leather-look shoes with a low heel.” Bradbury’s black leather-look sneakers seem to fit the policy, but Bradbury’s mom says the school got nitpicky. “Pupils were asked to pick up their feet so they could check the soles of their shoes. Some pupils were advised that their shoes were not deemed fit for school uniform if they cannot be polished; however, it does not state that in the school uniform rules.”

Schools have rules, but it’s important to take into consideration the fact that sometimes adults can take things too far in the name of teaching children discipline. Isn’t nitpicking about a girl’s footwear, which technically is in line with the dress code, doing more damage to her ability to learn than just letting her wear the shoes? Instead of having the freedom to focus on her studies, this young girl has to worry now that she might make a mistake like this again. Instead of paying extra attention in class, this girl has to pay extra attention to her footwear, which seems counterproductive.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.