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AIBU?

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

138 replies

MsColour · 19/09/2013 12:30

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.

OP posts:
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Snoot · 19/09/2013 13:34

I quite like them to look a little different or alternative. Obviously clean and reasonably smart though, they should lead the children by example. They also need to be taken seriously as professionals by a wide range of parents and visitors. I think tattoos and piercings are fine but too much flesh on show is inappropriate.

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SandStorm · 19/09/2013 13:39

If we expect the children to be dressed smartly and appropriately for school then I expect the same of the teachers. I don't mind individualism but I don't want to see too much flesh on show.

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meditrina · 19/09/2013 13:39

Up to a point, yes.

I would expect teachers to be suitably clad (up to them to decide what is suitable - my only stipulation would be no visible underwear, but I can't imagine any teacher letting undies show anyhow). Clothes should be clean (at start of day at least) and in good repair, and without controversial or obscene images or slogans. Tattoos should be covered if they feature nudity, swearing or mages likely to disturb children (eg snakes emerging from skulls).

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Onesleeptillwembley · 19/09/2013 13:40

If you're a professional then you should dress in a professional manner.

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kim147 · 19/09/2013 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cantspel · 19/09/2013 13:42

If my son has to dress smart in a blazer and tie then i think the teacher staff should also make the effort to dress in a smart professional manner.

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kim147 · 19/09/2013 13:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pancakeflipper · 19/09/2013 13:42

I like clean.

And low cut tops aren't good if primary school teaching as there is a lot of bending down.

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thebody · 19/09/2013 13:44

well personally as a parent I fucking hate and loathe school uniform and lots of petty rules and regs.

I would love to see teachers dress as individuals as I love to see teenagers exploring hair colour/style/ dress sense.

I expect clean, I expect clothes to cover sexual bitsGrin
but most of all I expect a well run, happy school.

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TravelinColour · 19/09/2013 13:44

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tobiasfunke · 19/09/2013 13:47

My DS's teacher wears lovely skirts and tops and seems to have a different pair of converse for everyday of the week. The kids love it.

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hettienne · 19/09/2013 13:47

I think smart and practical, especially as children are wearing uniforms. Would not be impressed to see a teacher in torn jeans or a mini-skirt and fishnets tbh.

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Akray · 19/09/2013 13:48

I never thought about how teachers dressed until this year ~ my DD has gone into primary 7 (Scotland) and her teacher wears very tight, short skirts / dresses and tight, cleavage showing tops. I haven't actually seen her but DD reckons her to be in her mid twenties. She said one day she bent over and you could see her pants, and that her boobs are always on show causing the boys in class to stare and giggle Blush . Guess its not really appropriate for school but as long as they are learning its not really an issue for me ~ would feel a bit embarrassed complaining tbh......

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hettienne · 19/09/2013 13:49

Though I do think smart jeans, converse, shirt and cardigan would be fine in a primary school if children can wear dark trousers, polo shirts and jumpers. In secondary if children are in shirts and jackets, so should teachers.

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noblegiraffe · 19/09/2013 13:49

Teenagers take you more seriously if you're not dressed like a bag of rags.

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LittleMissGerardLouiseButler · 19/09/2013 13:49

Hmm this is a difficult one.

The teacher my older son had last year was quite scruffy, wore track suit bottoms and t shirt, long hair and beard. While some parents were a bit Hmm he was a great teacher and my son who is struggling in school loved him and really came along.

This year however he has started wearing trousers and shirts and looks much better now, though there is a new head so maybe a dress code? The head before who retired was lovely but didn't have enough discipline. Her daughter worked at the school and dressed like she was going on a night out, the dads in the yard seemed to like it though!

My younger sons teacher has always dressed smartly but I'm not keen on her, so given the choice I would rather have a scruffy but good teacher.

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Zoe678 · 19/09/2013 13:50

A teacher in my dc's school wore what I can only describe as 'fuck me' boots recently and I looked twice. But no, I don't care. I care that they're good.

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thebody · 19/09/2013 13:51

my dd 14 was most aggrieved last night as her Spanish teacher told her her skirt was too short. she added 'I wouldn't mind but she dressed like a right old prostitute'

out of the mouths..

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LittleMissGerardLouiseButler · 19/09/2013 13:51
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poshfrock · 19/09/2013 13:53

I think professional but appropriate so trousers plus blouse or jumper for women at primary and shirt/ jumper for men. At secondary where less bending down and messy stuff then I would expect more formal attire, so dress and jacket or suit for women and definitely shirt and tie for men.And I would expect this throughout higher education too. I could never take my lecturers at uni seriously who turned up looking like ageing students in scruffy t-shirts and jeans. Seemed to be particularly prolific in the English dept. Fortunately my modern language lecturers all knew how to dress.
Three of my siblings and one in-law are teachers, mixture of primary, secondary and higher ed. They all dress as I describe so I don't think IABU.

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FeetUpUntilChristmas · 19/09/2013 13:54

In primary IMO the clothes should be appropriate more than smart. No scary tattoos or piercings or make up.

In senior school they should be smart in line with the schools uniform policy. For my daughters the girls have a strict uniform and in the sixth form have to wear smart business clothes with a jacket. The teachers should be dressing along the same lines.

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thebody · 19/09/2013 13:54

teenagers take you more seriously if you don't spend half your teaching time supporting daft concepts of keeping blazers on in a heat wave and demanding schools new expensive logos on skirts.

teenagers respect good teachers. good teachers respect kids.
good schools respect parents are struggling financially.

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ILetHimKeep20Quid · 19/09/2013 13:54

I'd hate to teachers trussed up in suits.

Most of the female teachers wear trousers, jeans (come on people, it's not 1950, jeans can be smart), nice tops, dresses, long tops and leggings and pumps or boots. Never seen anything too tight, low or short.

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OutragedFromLeeds · 19/09/2013 13:55

I think teachers should dress in line with dress code of the school. If the kids need to be in shirts, ties, logo jumpers etc. they should also be smart.

If the school has no uniform then teachers in jeans is fine imo.

DC1's teacher wears leggings as trousers, with just a short top. We can see her pants. It does not look good. She's lovely though.

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UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 19/09/2013 13:55

Yes, I care. Clean, professional, not too much flesh showing. Teachers should reflect the ethos of the school in their teaching, behaviour and dress.

If I met a teacher falling out of a nightclub on a Saturday night in a microdress I wouldn't bat an eyelid, but in school would be a different matter.

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