Findern in Derby says shoelessness – an idea inspired by research study – is huge success, with children better able to learn

Children at an East Midlands primary school are being encouraged to wear slippers in class.

Findern primary in Derby introduced the idea after one of the teachers came across research that found the relaxed approach to footwear improved academic results.

The decade-long study, by researchers at Bournemouth University, found that allowing pupils to remove their shoes, as is custom in Scandinavia, helped them to engage better in class.

Since implementing the policy, staff at Findern have noticed an improvement in behaviour. Some teachers have also brought in their own slippers.

Michelle Hall, Findern’s deputy head, said: “It was suggested by one of the teachers after seeing some research wearing slippers can improve children’s grades. We pitched the idea to the pupils and they were very excited. It’s been a huge success so far and even staff are wearing slippers in the classroom too.

“Our pupils have always been well behaved but we’ve noticed some changes. There is less stomping around and children are calmer and more relaxed. They love it.”

Maisie Futcher, a pupil, thought it was “a great idea”. The 10-year-old added: “I love wearing my slippers at home, so it’s nice being able to wear them at school. It makes me feel relaxed and helps me to learn.”

For the study, researchers observed thousands of children in 25 different countries, and found that those wearing slippers in school were more likely to read, arrive early and leave later. They also examined the impact on academic results all the way through to university, with marked improvement.

Findern is a rural school with about 150 pupils. Before the new shoe policy, it was already rated good in 2015 by Ofsted, who said pupils were well behaved, valued their small school community and got on well together.

The study’s author, Stephen Heppell, professor of new media environments at Bournemouth University, welcomed the news about Findern. “Shoeless learning isn’t for everyone,” he told the Telegraph, “but the hard research data says cleaning costs are lower, furniture lasts a lot longer and with clean floors you need less of it. It saves money – and academic progress is better too.

“The last place a child would sit to read is an upright chair and we’ve found that 95% of them actually don’t read on a chair at home. When they go on holidays they read lying down. Having conditions in the classroom that are like those at home means that more boys are reading in the classroom.”