Children not wearing the right trainers had to endure PE lessons in bare feet in their brand new gym.
Black-soled footwear was ruled offside at Inchinnan Primary in Renfrew in case it left marks on the light-coloured floor.
Teachers ordered youngsters to strip off their socks and play games in their bare feet.
Now headmistress Nicola McGlynn has intervened and apologised for the “confusion”.
Furious parents at the 140-pupil village school lambasted the decision to ditch the shoes and socks.
One said: “Everybody was looking forward to the gym opening as the old one was demolished about 18 months ago.
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“This really has taken a shine off it - children as young as five can easily hurt their bare feet.”
Other parents have taken to social media backing the school’s stance to preserve the new floor.
And one grandmother said: “We had to do it in our day and it didn’t do us any harm. I agree with the decision to protect this lovely new gym, they need to take pride in it.
"A pair of traditional plimsolls only costs a couple of quid, all primary age children should have them in their gym bags."
In a message this week the head Ms McGlynn insisted: “Moving forward no child will be asked to undertake PE in their bare feet.
“Children who do not have suitable footwear will be offered a pair of school gym shoes for use that day, in order that they do not miss their allocation.
“If any parent would like assistance around funding sportswear, please contact the school directly, as we have dedicated funding to assist families.”
A new gym was built to allow a new nursery building to be put on the site of the old hall.
The first class to use it was on October 19 and it opened after months of anticipation from staff and pupils.
Previously they had to take sports outside or in the village church hall.
Parents revealed every child not wearing white soles would have to taken them off, as well as their socks to prevent them sliding.
The school authorities feared the socks could become a “slip hazard” and there have been no reports of injuries.
More than a third of children are thought to have been impacted.
A Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “The health and safety of our children remains our highest priority.
“We continue to work with parents to ensure their child has the right footwear for physical education lessons.”
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