First School Shoes: What Parents Need to Know

By / May 13th, 2026 / There are currently 0 comments

Starting school is a huge milestone, for both children and parents. New uniform, new routines and of course… the all-important first pair of school shoes.

Choosing first school shoes can feel like a big decision, because these shoes need to do a lot. They need to be smart enough for school, strong enough for everyday wear and, most importantly, comfortable and supportive for growing feet.

At W. J. French & Son, helping families find the right first school shoes is one of the most important things we do.

Here’s what parents should know before buying.

Fit Comes First

The most important part of choosing school shoes is not the style, it’s the fit.

Children’s feet are still developing, and poorly fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, rubbing, poor posture and even long-term foot problems.

A good school shoe should have:

  • the correct length
  • the right width
  • enough growing room
  • good support
  • secure fastening
  • flexibility where needed

This is why professional fitting makes such a difference.

Don’t Buy Too Big “To Last Longer”

It’s tempting to buy bigger school shoes hoping children will “grow into them,” but shoes that are too large can cause just as many problems as shoes that are too small.

Oversized shoes can lead to:

  • slipping heels
  • rubbing
  • blisters
  • tripping
  • poor walking posture
  • lack of proper support

The goal is not bigger shoes, it’s correctly fitted shoes with sensible growing room.

Width Matters Just As Much As Length

Many parents focus only on shoe size, but width is just as important.

A child may need:

  • standard fitting
  • wide fitting
  • extra depth
  • more support across the front of the foot

Some children have wider feet, higher insteps or one foot slightly larger than the other and this is completely normal.

The right width makes a huge difference to comfort.

Choose Quality Over Cheap Replacements

School shoes work hard.

Children wear them for hours every day running, climbing, walking and playing.

Quality school shoes usually offer:

  • better support
  • stronger soles
  • better leather uppers
  • improved durability
  • healthier foot development
  • better long-term value

Often, buying one good pair is better than replacing cheaper pairs multiple times.

Secure Fastenings Matter

Children need shoes that stay secure and feel easy to manage.

Popular options include:

  • rip-tape fastenings
  • buckle fastenings
  • lace-up shoes
  • zip and lace combinations

The best choice depends on your child’s age, confidence and school uniform requirements.

Trusted Brands Make a Difference

At W. J. French & Son, we fit trusted brands including:

  • Start-Rite
  • Petasil
  • Ricosta
  • Bobux for younger children

These brands are known for comfort, support, durability and excellent fitting options for growing feet.

Visit Early: Don’t Leave It Too Late

Back-to-school season gets busy quickly, especially in August.

We always recommend visiting early during the summer holidays to:

  • avoid the rush
  • have better choice of sizes and styles
  • allow time to wear shoes in
  • create a calmer fitting experience

It makes the whole process much easier for both parents and children. We start taking appointments in June.

And If Their Current Shoes Still Fit…

We’ll tell you.

At W. J. French & Son, we believe in proper fitting, not unnecessary selling.

If your child’s shoes still fit correctly and comfortably, we won’t sell you another pair.

That trust matters.

Visit Us for First School Shoe Fitting

Choosing first school shoes should feel exciting not stressful.

Our experienced fitters are here to help with:

  • first school shoes
  • wide fittings
  • growing room checks
  • professional measuring
  • expert fitting advice

Because when fitted footwear matters, growing feet matter too.

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