Wearing slippers in school promotes better grades according to a university study.
Researchers at Bournemouth University have been studying the Scandinavian practice of removing shoes in school and conclude that academic results are better when children wear more relaxing and comfortable footwear.
Children were even found to read more if they wore slippers in school.
The research was carried out in over 100 schools in 25 different countries over a period of 10 years.
Stephen Heppell, professor of new media environments at Bournemouth University, told The Telegraph newspaper: “Shoeless learning isn’t for everyone, 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.
“Having conditions in the classroom that are like those at home means that more boys are reading in the classroom.”
One school was so convinced by the results, it has already decided to test the theory for itself.
Pupils at Findern Primary School, near Derby, are now allowed to swap their outdoor footwear for their favourite pair of slippers when they get into the building.
The school reported an improvement in children’s concentration and ability to learn.
Sounds like a great idea to me. I think employers should allow slippers in the workplace.