School holidays are almost over, which means the familiar scramble is about to begin. Uniforms washed and ready, fresh stationery, packed lunch debates, and yes, shoes.
It’s easy to grab a pair that looks good, roughly fits, and ticks the uniform policy box without thinking much further. But the shoes your child wears every school day have a bigger impact on their growing feet than most parents realise.
Children’s feet are still developing well into their teenage years. The bones, joints, and soft tissues are more adaptable than in adults, which is great news because it also means problems caught early are much easier to address. It also means that consistently wearing poor footwear during those years can have a real effect on how their feet, ankles, knees, and posture develop.
So, before the term kicks off, here’s a handy checklist to work through.
1. Check if last term’s shoes still fit
Kids’ feet can grow surprisingly fast, sometimes half a size or more in just a few months. A shoe that fitted well at the start of last term may already be too small, even if your child hasn’t complained.
Children don’t always notice or report tightness. They’ll often just get on with it, and you may not realise there’s an issue until you spot toenails that are bruised, blisters on the toes, or your child is consistently taking their shoes off the moment they get home.
Before buying anything new, take out last term’s school shoes and check:
Is there at least a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe?
Is the widest part of the shoe sitting at the widest part of the foot?
Are there any areas of visible wear that suggest the shoe is no longer providing even support?
If the answer to any of these is no, it’s time for a new pair.
2. Get fitted properly — especially for growing feet
Shoe shopping for kids is a sport in itself, but it’s worth doing properly. Whenever possible, get your child’s feet measured at a proper shoe store rather than just picking a size based on last time. Feet can change shape and width as they grow, not just length.
A few things to keep in mind when shopping:
Shop in the afternoon if you can: feet are slightly larger later in the day after being on them.
Have your child stand in the shoes, not just sit. The foot spreads when weight-bearing, and a shoe that seems fine while sitting may be too tight when standing.
Check both feet: it’s very common for one foot to be slightly larger than the other. Always fit to the bigger foot.
Bring the socks they’ll actually wear to school, so the fit is accurate.
3. Know what makes a good school shoe
School shoes don’t need to be expensive to be good. But there are a few features worth prioritising:
A firm heel counter: The back of the shoe should feel solid when you squeeze it. A floppy, collapsing heel offers no support and can contribute to heel and ankle pain.
Flexibility in the right place: Bend the shoe, it should flex at the toe box (where the toes are), not in the middle. A shoe that bends through the arch offers very little support to the midfoot.
Enough width: Narrow shoes compress the toes and can contribute to ingrown toenails, blisters, and longer-term problems like bunions. The shoe should match the natural shape of your child’s foot.
A low, flat heel: Young children’s shoes should have a minimal heel drop. Leave the fashion heels for dress-up.
Secure fastening: Laces or velcro that actually hold the foot in place are better than a slip-on style, which forces the foot to grip to keep the shoe on.
4. Check in on sports and PE footwear too
School shoes are one thing, but don’t forget about sport. If your child does PE, plays sports at lunchtime, or is joining a sports team this term, their sports shoes deserve the same attention.
Running shoes and cross-trainers wear down with use. Check the soles for uneven wear patterns, and look at how well the cushioning is holding up. A shoe that looks okay from the outside can have a midsole that has compressed and lost most of its shock absorption.
As a general rule, sports shoes used regularly should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if your child is going through a growth spurt or doing a lot of sports.
5. Watch for these warning signs in the first few weeks back
The start of a new term, especially after a growth spurt over the holidays, is a common time for foot complaints to pop up. Keep an eye out for:
Complaints of heel pain, especially after sport or at the end of the school day (this can be a sign of Sever’s disease in active children between the ages of 8 and 14)
Heel pain is one of the more common foot complaints in active children, particularly during growth spurts and busy school sports periods. Ongoing children’s heel pain is worth checking early rather than waiting for it to settle on its own.
Limping, or your child walking differently without explanation
Toenails that look bruised or are growing into the skin
Blisters or redness that keep coming back in the same spots
Knee or shin pain that your child mentions repeatedly
These things are worth taking seriously rather than waiting to see if they resolve. Most childhood foot complaints respond really well to early treatment, and catching them quickly usually means a much shorter recovery.
6. Talk to your child about their feet
Kids aren’t always great at volunteering information about discomfort, particularly if it means they might have to slow down on sports or other activities they enjoy. A simple check-in each week, like “how are your feet feeling? Any sore spots?”, can catch things early that might otherwise be missed for months.
Normalising foot health conversations early also helps kids grow up knowing it’s okay to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, rather than just soldiering on.
7. When to see a podiatrist
If you’re noticing anything that concerns you, like persistent pain, awkward walking patterns, rapidly worsening toenails, or shoes wearing down in unusual ways, it’s worth booking a podiatry appointment early in the term rather than leaving it.
A podiatry assessment for a child typically includes looking at how they walk, checking foot and ankle alignment, assessing footwear, and talking through any symptoms. It’s straightforward, and for most kids it’s a pretty interesting experience once they realise there’s no needles involved.
This kind of assessment can help pick up a wide range of children’s foot problems, from heel pain and gait concerns to nail issues and footwear-related pressure areas.
Getting ahead of problems in term one makes the rest of the school year much smoother for your child and for you.
Hurst Podiatry is here to help
Whether you’ve spotted something specific or just want a general check before the term begins, the team at Hurst Podiatry is experienced in paediatric foot care and happy to help.
Book an appointment today and give your child the best start to the school term.
