

to wonder if you care what your child's teacher dresses like

(139 Posts)
MsColour Thu 19-Sep-13 12:30:29

The school I work in has just introduced a new dress code. Basically we need to look smart - no denim, skirts not too short, no strappy tops, tattoos covered....Most of generally dress like this anyway so it's not a major issue - I always cover my tattoos for work. My dp thinks that it shouldn't matter as it's the results that count.

Just wondering if parents care what their chidren's teachers look like or is it not an issue.

Theas18 Fri 20-Sep-13 11:26:18

Only ever noticed when the Reception teacher had long glam nails at parents evening. Not sure how that fitted with hands on teaching of 4yr olds. But she did and Ok job ( though apparently they all saw her belly button jewel when she was putting up display boards LOL)

Other than that, dress for the work you do.Jeans/leggings (with a dress) are great for primary. DH teaches year 3 and wears cheap easy was trousers and a shirt/jumper. He gets sticky and sometime painty/gluey as they will grab him at times and say " please mum can I do X" LOL

Secondary- again don't mind. One of the girls school teachers has a natty line in intarsia sweaters a la Gyles Brandreth. Usually relevant to what's being taught too smile

ShadeofViolet Fri 20-Sep-13 11:13:40

DS's teacher (NQT) last year wore a see through white vest with a green bra underneath last year. It also didn't cover her belly so she kept having to yank it down. She was very sweet but a little clueless.

I agree though that in secondary's, where the onus is on the children following the uniform code, then staff should be smart.

SeaSickSal Fri 20-Sep-13 11:04:27

The only real issue I have is that it shouldn't be distracting from what they are teaching or affecting their teaching.

So for example multi-coloured, hair, tattoos, piercings and brightly coloured clothes all together would be distraction.

Being really scruffy, eg tracksuit or cap, might give the children the impression the wearer has no authority and cause disruption.

So on a case by case really, but am not bothered about a few tattoos here and there.

goldopals Fri 20-Sep-13 10:51:29

Teachers should be neat and tidy, but should dress as the school culture requires. I teach in a very small country school in Australia where students wear track pants, polo shirts and fleecy jumpers so teachers dress very casually. As long as we do not show boobs, bum or upper leg we can dress how we like.

In winter I wear skinny leg jeans (lots of different colours), nice top and a cardigan, or a dress with leggings and a cardigan. I usually wear knee high boots or bright purple Doc Martens. In summer I wear the same dresses with ballet flats and bare legs.

LimburgseVlaai Fri 20-Sep-13 10:06:54

I don't really care about what the teachers wear, same as most people on here: as long as the vital bits are covered and they are clean/not smelly that's fine. I don't really mind about tattoos and piercings either.

What does bother me a bit is when female teachers/TAs are caked in makeup or overly orange, and I also hate males (teachers or otherwise) smelling strongly of aftershave. I just don't like the idea of children thinking this is normal and/or attractive. But that's only my personal hang-up, I know I am being inconsistent, and I wouldn't want to see a good teacher reprimanded for this.

funkybuddah Fri 20-Sep-13 09:53:29

I don't care how staff are dressed as long as boobs bum and belly are covered (so no builders bums or ill fitting shirts etc)

There is a certain level ie no onsies but teaching ability is more important to me.

but I do get that if the children have to be smart the adults should be too (it just wouldnt bother me if teacher turned up in jeans trainers etc)

as for covering tattoos, unless they are rude again not bothered

BumbleChum Fri 20-Sep-13 08:33:59

The kids wear uniform at our school so I think it's appropriate for teachers to look professional. Very short skirts, visible cleavage/chest-hair (depending on gender...), tattoos on show aren't professional, they're for your social life IMO. You can have a bit of style (or not, as you choose) and wear comfortable clothing within those parameters.

BelaLugosisShed Fri 20-Sep-13 08:24:33

My DD has just started teaching in a high school, she has to wear a suit-type jacket at all times outside the classroom, as the kids have to wear blazers then this is fair enough imo.
She has tattooed feet and feels it's appropriate to wear thick black tights to cover them up and has toned her make up and hair/nails right down, she said she'd feel hypocritical telling girls off for too much make up and jewellery otherwise.

MidniteScribbler Fri 20-Sep-13 01:23:53

Every so often at our school we talk about having a staff uniform. Nothing fancy, just black trousers/slacks and a polo shirt in school colours with the logo embroidered, and a dress shirt for more formal events. I'd have no issues with that at all. There are actually quite a few schools out here starting to take on staff uniforms now.

PinkSippyCup Fri 20-Sep-13 00:30:04

I'm a primary teacher. Our dress code is smart casual. Jeans are allowed as long as they are smart with no rips etc.

I usually wear jeans and converse with smartish tops. As long as my jeans pass the 'sit on the floor without showing my bum crack' test then I'll wear them grin

JoinYourPlayfellows Fri 20-Sep-13 00:02:47

"Teachers should abide by the school's dress code at the very least."

Grown women dressed in school uniform?

Now we ARE getting porny grin

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee Thu 19-Sep-13 23:40:32

Infants/Juniors - casual, comfortable. Preferably thongs not on show though smile

Seniors - a bit more dressy if the pupils are expected to be dressed 'smart'.

SomeTeaPlease Thu 19-Sep-13 23:37:36

Teachers should abide by the school's dress code at the very least. If the school doesn't allow jeans for students, then teachers shouldn't wear jeans either.

However, if the dress code is casual, then I see no problem with teachers wearing jeans. Plenty of my teachers wore jeans, and quite a few of my professors at uni wear jeans as well. It doesn't change the quality of their teaching.

I don't think it's appropriate to wear just leggings, or have undergarments showing, etc.

TheFallenNinja Thu 19-Sep-13 23:37:14

Smart and business like is my preference.

A smart appearance is like a suit of armour for my money.

JoinYourPlayfellows Thu 19-Sep-13 23:33:53

"Cleavage breast or bum, is a total no."

What's wrong with breast cleavage?

Jellybeanz1 Thu 19-Sep-13 23:17:37

I swear my old junior school teacher wore the same turquoise crimpolene skirt suit for 6 years. When I was browsing Friends Reunited there she was in a photo (another 10 years) on in the same suit.

MrsSchadenfreude Thu 19-Sep-13 23:15:30

A teacher at the DDs' international primary school used to dress like a hooker - see through top, black or red bra, fanny pelmet skirt, ripped tights and fuck me shoes. She was a good teacher, but not popular with the mothers.

mehimandthegirls Thu 19-Sep-13 23:08:30

If the children have to dress smart then so do the teachers.

colourmehappytheresasofainhere Thu 19-Sep-13 22:48:22

Agree with lots said on here. Cleavage breast or bum, is a total no.

JoinYourPlayfellows Thu 19-Sep-13 22:27:57

I do not care.

Golferman Thu 19-Sep-13 22:26:28

The female class teacher at one of my grandson's primary is stunning and wears quite short skirts and low tops. I have never seen so many men who are enthusiastically picking up their kids. grin

Retroformica Thu 19-Sep-13 22:04:39

I wouldn't care if you were wearing a banana skin on your head and a bin bag. If my children were blossoming in your class, is be happy. I'd see your clothes as an expression of your personality and I'm all for individuality. Our school uniform is very relaxed, we like it that way.

Methe Thu 19-Sep-13 21:08:17

I couldn't give a toss what they are wearing. In 5 years I an honestly say I've never noticed what a teacher has had on.

As long as they are wearing something I don't think it matters a jot what it is!

cathers Thu 19-Sep-13 21:00:17

I think as long as teachers look clean and they don't flash bits with low tops, tight trousers, they should be able to wear anything. It seems a bit ott to be wear suits, jackets etc.

MidniteScribbler Thu 19-Sep-13 20:46:06

I'm a primary school teacher - My usual dress is long loose slacks (I get them made for me out of a fabric that is a bit of a slinky fabric so it never creases) in a variety of different colours, and a short sleeved shirt. I really hate long sleeves and can't work in them as effectively. I always have a black jacket thrown over the back of my chair if I have to attend a meeting. In summer, I have been known to wear crop pants and a nice shirt. I'm fairly physical in my teaching, the students are moving around the classroom a lot, and I'm often sitting on the floor with them so something that I can move around a lot in is a must. A business suit just would not work in primary school. We do get to high 30s here in summer, and it's a beachside town in Australia, so a little more casual than our sister schools in the city tend to dress. Piercings (other than earrings) and tattoos must be covered is our only real dress code, but everyone else tends to wear similiar to me, so not something we've had a problem with. We do dress more formally (suits etc) when doing parent-teacher conferences or school functions.

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