As the clock strikes midnight on July 31, parents begin preparations for an August filled to the brim with back-to-school shopping.

From weaving in and out of crowded stationery aisles with an indecisive little one who can’t quite work out which pencil case to go for this year, to shopping for yet another set of new school uniforms for kids who seem to grow at an exponential rate, there’s plenty for parents to busy themselves with before children begin a new academic year in September.

One of the most important purchases a parent will make before a child returns to school is picking out a new pair of uniform-appropriate black shoes.

A tradition which dates back to the beginning of formal schooling in the UK, black shoes represented the zenith of professionalism and were considered to be the smartest form of footwear – making them exceedingly appropriate for instilling academic values in children new to the classroom.

Nowadays, they’re a practical, scuff-resistant, and utilitarian option for kiddos up and down the country. While some forward-facing schools might offer a more casual, trainer-led approach to footwear, the vast majority of state and private schools will require students to wear a pair of uniform code-approved black shoes.

We’ve curated a selection of durable and hard-wearing school shoes for boys that’ll keep them comfortable throughout the school day. Keep scrolling for a selection of steadfast stompers that’ll survive a playground kickabout.