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ANY child will tell you that school, above anything else, is a fashion contest. Everyone will remember from their own school days that something as trivial as an uncool rucksack, pencil case, or pair of jeans can play havoc on your social status, making choosing the best school shoes for your kids key.

That doesn’t mean spending a small fortune on designer brands, though. In fact, there’s a whole host of affordable labels that will keep your child’s social status intact, while being comfy and, most importantly, durable.

We’ve rounded up the best pairs of school shoes for both boys and girls below, taking into account the fact that schools across the country can have very different school uniform policies: in some places, anything goes, while some schools dictate that children wear smart black shoes.

If your child is looking for something smart, stylish and mature, but you don’t fancy dropping hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes they’ll quickly grow out of, you can’t do much better than these ankle-height chelsea boots from The Gap.

They’ve got a short heel, meaning they look grown up but feel comfortable, and they can be easily wiped clean thanks to their faux leather construction and lack of laces — this makes them easier to put on in the inevitable morning rush, too.

And priced at $47 in The Gap’s sale with a $13 dollar discount, these are hard to say no to.

Chunky loafers are all the rage at the moment thanks to their appearance on the Prada runways a couple of seasons ago, and they’re a great option for a stylish statement that’s still appropriate for school.

These, from Spanish retail giant Zara, are come in a polished black leather finish and are available in sizes 12.5 through to 5.5, making them perfect for growing school students.

Their statement chunky sole is made from polyurethane foam, which means they’ll offer great comfort throughout the day.

If you’re looking to buy your child a pair of school-appropriate sneakers, you can’t really go wrong with the Air Force 1.

The silhouette has been in fashion for decades now, so you can be sure that they won’t become uncool within a year of you buying them, and the chunky style is versatile enough to go with most outfits.

At $110 they’re certainly not cheap, but we all know that a pair of Nikes is always sure to please.

Like the Air Force 1s above, there’s no denying these sneakers are expensive, but if you’re buying for a sneaker-crazy child, these will send you straight into the good books.

Another similarity the Blazer has with the Air Force 1 is that it’s a classic design that’s unlikely to ever go out of style, so you shouldn’t need to worry about your child discarding them as soon as trends move on.

And in this understated black colorway, these sneakers should go with everything and aren’t too loud for school.

If you’re on a budget but looking for something smart, you can’t do much better than these Chukka Boots from J.C. Penney, which come in both black and brown colorways.

They’re perfect for school, thanks to their memory foam technology and the fact that they’re designed to be pulled on rather than laced up (looks can be deceiving).

They’re also smart enough to wear out to an upscale restaurant, but also casual enough to be worn around and about — you’ll get your money’s worth ten times over from these shoes.

If your child is desperate for a pair of brand-name sneakers but you don’t fancy dropping over $100 on a pair of Nikes, then we’d suggest opting for a pair of New Balance.

The brand has long since shrugged off its divorced dad associations, and they’re now viewed as an understated icon of a sneaker. They’re also extremely comfortable and are made from at least 50% recycled materials.

There are also six colors to choose from, although our favorites are the Black with White and the Grey with White colorways.

It’d almost be rude to leave an icon like the Converse Chuck 70 out of this list. They’re one of the most recognizable shoes around, after all, and have been seen on the feet of high school kids for decades.

At $85, they’re not as expensive as a pair of Nike or Adidas sneakers, and they’re arguably more versatile, thanks to their canvas hi-top silhouette.

Buying a pair of smart shoes for a child can be quite difficult; they’re usually too cheap, too expensive, or make your child look like they’re playing dress up.

Priced at $65, these Dr. Martens are just the right price — they’re affordable enough that you don’t need to be too precious with them, but they’re also well-made: the shoe is made from a waxy leather specifically used on Dr. Marten’s kids' shoes for extra resilience, and there’s no denying that it’s a classic silhouette.

While these would be great for boys, they are unisex and there are plenty of reviews from happy parents whose daughters have loved these shoes.

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