A school has put its best foot forward...by buying ALL of its pupils a new pair of shoes!
In the first scheme of its kind in Britain, bosses at Ravens Academy in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, cobbled together £4,400 for the footwear.
All of the 158 pupils received a £28 voucher for a pair of smart black shoes from a Clarks store.
Eileen Mason, whose daughter, Rebecca, six, attends the school, said: "Children were coming to school in old trainers which weren't appealing. Now everyone looks smart and presentable."
Parents were given the voucher this term as the school changed from being a primary to an academy.
The pupils, aged between four and 11, also received free polo shirts after the old uniform was rebranded.
Ravens Academy interim headteacher Karen Hammond said: "The school is in an area of high deprivation and times are hard.
"The shoes have given the children a sense of pride."
The school paid for the footwear after receiving a Government conversion grant when it became an academy.
County councillor Ray Gooding said: "It's the school's money – I wish them all the best."