A number of parents have been left furious after their children's school said a pair of black leather shoes are unsuitable for pupils.
Students at Longcroft School in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, have been told they cannot wear their Dr Martens leather shoes anymore.
The announcement made several parents angry as they spent £109 on their children's footwear, only for the shoe policy to be changed last month, Hull Live reports.
The debate first began when schools around the country imposed a policy stating that students could no longer wear Kickers school shoes because they "looked too much like trainers" and could potentially be dangerous for students partaking in practical science lessons.
Now, parents have been left angry as their children were told they cannot wear their Dr Martens either.
A parent said: "I bought these plain black leather shoes that have no brand labels on them for my daughter, I think they are safe to wear for science but she was told they are unsuitable. Instructions regarding school shoes need to be clearer."
Another claimed to have contacted a teacher to ask if the shoes met the new regulations and was given the green light, before being told they were unsuitable.
Longcroft School, however, told The Mirror that black Dr Martens shoes "continue to be appropriate footwear" for pupils.
Parents have said they were not given clear guidance on what shoes they can send their children to school in.
A parent argued: "Maybe if they can show me that my child wearing different shoes from what he has now makes a genuine difference to his grades, I would considering wasting more money on another pair of shoes."
Some of the Longcroft students' parents have said they refuse to follow the new regulations and will continue to send their children to school wearing banned shoes.
One said: "All the parents in the country are facing the same issue, we should band together and continue to send the kids wearing whatever shoes they already have."
The situation has created a divide among parents with some backing the safety claim and others saying it is petty.
The current "uniform" tab on the Longcroft School website emphasises that students are expected to meet the school's uniform expectations at all times.
This includes a plain white shirt with top button fastened, a Longcroft School tie, a Longcroft V-necked jumper, black trousers or skirt and "plain black shoes".
Items expressly not allowed include hoodies, denim jackets, leather jackets, acrylic nails and any piercings other than a pair of stud earrings.
Longcroft School said in a statement sent to The Mirror: "Our community is very grateful to parents who have kindly supported the school at this time.
"We continue to work with our families who feel their choice of uniform is appropriate and their children continue to learn in lessons as normal. The school also supports its families with uniform if financial support is required.
"We’re hopeful that, working collaboratively, we can find a way forward over the next few weeks and will continue to be in conversation with all who hold differing views about the merits of school uniform.
"We can confirm that black Dr Martens shoes continue to be appropriate footwear for our school and that we are happy for our children to wear them as part of their uniform."
