To complain about what teachers wear?

[Bunchofdaffodils]

More is she being unreasonable? Visiting a friend the other day with a daughter in year 5 I think. Just moved to a new school ( New to area).
My friend suddenly went on a rant about how it wasn’t on what the teachers were wearing and should she say something about it being inappropriate? Apparently it’s things like short skirts(other parents have commented about seeing Miss Xs knickers!), high heels and being over the top, like a fashion show.
She thinks it’s not a good example to set the children? Was she being unreasonable?

[Bestseller]

Most schools have a dress code and ime teachers are just as bad as students for pushing those boundaries. It's a problem as soon as the weather turns warm every year.

It usually says something about not cause offence and being suitable for the task.

As a parent I wouldn't complain though, it's a pick your battles moment

[LokiBear]

Probably. Id expect my headteacher to speak to me if I were dressed inappropriately. At my school, admittedly secondary, I tend to wear smart-casual clothes rather than suits. I teach Drama, so im moving around a lot and need to be comfortable. I think I have a little bit more leeway because everyone expects the drama teacher to dress more unconventially

[Firsttimer1234]

Wouldn't she rather they dressed as a victoria teacher? Full length and ruffled neck? I'm pretty certain that the children see someone on the street or in shops wearing short skirts. Also, the school will have a dress code for staff. Usually a policy document. If she wasn't sticking to it then I'm sure SLT would have pulled her up in it. I'm a teacher andthe dress code is very clearly, on the rare occasion someone hasn't stuck to it they have been pulled in by the deputy. But it's never been anything about length of skirts, more like wearing jean type trousers. Saying something is just going to upset her and make her self conscious. Lay off her, teachers get enough of a hard time.

[TwoOddSocks]

I guess very very short skirts aren't appropriate but I wouldn't bother complaining personally. I just doubt my DC would notice or care and if I ever had something to actually complain about I wouldn't want to have been the parent that was down the school making petty complaints every other week.

[LotsToThinkOf]

I've left the profession now but in the couple of years before I left I noticed how inappropriate the dress was becoming amongst members of staff I worked with. The expectation used to be at least suit trousers and a shirt and jacket for men and the quivalent for women. Shoes were expected to be flat or mid heel at the most. Very little flesh on show.

Before I left, the women had taken to wearing bodycon dresses with thick tights and high heels, the men were wearing tight dark jeans and skinny shirts, often with trainer type shoes. The staffroom resembled what you'd expect to see in a pub. Apart from the clothing being far too revealing, it represented the new attitude which had infiltrated the school where the focus of staff was no longer on the classes it was on their social life with their new found friends in the staff room.

The staff should be wearing business type clothing, it's not a fashion parade and it wouldn't be allowed in a corporate environment. There are plenty of clothing options which are comfortable and appropriate, I could never see how the clothing they were wearing could have been comfortable. The shirts were so tight on the men that they looked as if they could rip any minute and the same with their trousers. The dresses just looked awful.

[Firsttimer1234]

I dont think if some wears a tie changes a teacher ability to get a class at expected standard by the time they move to high school. Do people honestly believe that this impacts on children in any way wjatt so ever.

[chuckiecheese]

My children have commented how they saw a certain teachers boobs when they bent over.

I think the clothes you wear to work have to practical whatever your job

[Lemonsnlime]

Here we go, good old mumsnet teacher bashing. Seriously, some people have too much time on their hands.

[Basecamp65]

I have a number of teacher friends and we were talking about this a few days ago at a much.

One is a reception year teacher was very concerned that her school was becoming an academy and dress code was going to change to formal. Smart office wear. She feels this is totally inappropriate for working with children of this age - who may be scared and need a more relaxed envronment and also all the messy craft activities.

The other teaches in secondary school and felt as the children are forced to wear ties and blazers so should the teachers.

I think this feels about right. Primary school more relaxed secondary school more formal.

We HE our children - for many reasons but one being our hatred of enforced uniforms. I would rather have a choice of a school without uniform but if the kids have to wear one - so should the adults.

[BlueJava]

I'm often surprised by what they wear! My 2 DS have 2 teachers who dress quite differently from a lot of people with really noticable hair colours (bright blue and bright purple with pink streaks for parents' evening this year) - never said anything and never will - but it seems strange when the uniform is so strict and hair is meant to be so conservative. One of my DS told me his biology teacher had such a low top on that "when she bent over you could see everything" when she was doing an experiment with the class. I asked him if he was ok with it and what he thought and he replied "I don't really care because she's a good teacher and I want to get my A at A Level but it is tricky to know where to look if she comes over!" but nevertheless I think strange.

[stellabird]

My DH still gets a silly smile on his face when he talks about a certain female history teacher from his primary school days. He could see ( slightly) up her skirt when she reached up to write on the blackboard. Ah, memories !

[claraschu]

In my opinion, everyone should immediately and completely stop talking about and regulating what anyone else wears. No uniform, no dress code.

I think people would become less obsessed with clothes and appearance in general, and more focused on learning. I am sure that no good teacher wants to spend any time thinking or talking about what students are wearing, and I am equally sure that teachers setting a good example of being unconcerned with other people's clothes would be very good for students.

[Bestseller]

Dress does affect how people behave. You see it in the students on non uniform days and when I worked in a corporate environment, very little work was done on casual days.

[claraschu]

Bestseller If people normally wear a uniform and then have an occasional non-uniform day of course it will affect them. If all days are dress as you please and make up your own mind what is comfortable and appropriate, people figure out how to dress in a reasonable way.

If this weren't true, no work would get done in European, Scandinavian, and American schools, no work would get done in any university in the UK, Europe or the US, and nothing would be accomplished in most tech companies.

[loverly]

99% of my day is spend beding over or squatting next to children to mark books. Of course dress code should mean you can't see anything.

But is a tie that will hit children on the head, or an inflexible jacket/suit really the answer?

Men wear suit trousers and a shirt. Women should dress as smartly but most men who teach at my school don't wear ties or jackets so they shouldn't have to either.

And I'm not wearing high heels when I run round ALL day.

[Believeitornot]

Our primary school head wears very short skirts which makes assemblies interesting when she sits on stage. Poor kids.

Why can’t people dress sensibly? It’s not a night out!

[BeautifulPossibilities]

Some of the best teachers I know teach in jeans and trainers. Some dress more conservatively but they are there to appeal to children and to do what is quite a physical job. Pants on show - no but body con, tattoos, rainbow hair, piercings - all totally fine

[AuntieStella]

I think clothing so skimpy or I'll-fitting that underwear is on show is always inappropriate, and I might have a word. I certainly would if DC were mocking the teacher on those grounds.

Schools often have a dress code for teachers, so it's normally dealt with, with no need for parent involvement. It could well be a one-off notorious wardrobe malfunction, that's still being talked about at school legend, so do be sure it's a regular thing before mentioning it at all.

[Orchiddingme]

Dress does affect how people behave. You see it in the students on non uniform days and when I worked in a corporate environment, very little work was done on casual days

Yes, because they are used to conforming heavily and get let off the leash.

It would actually be better for them to be like most of the rest of the world and work hard whilst wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I wear jeans for about 80% of my worktime and am very productive!

[donquixotedelamancha]

My children have commented how they saw a certain teachers boobs when they bent over.

Thing is, lots of tops will allow sight of boob when you bend right over- so what? Teach your kids not to stare at or comment on people's bodies, rather than expecting everyone else to never reveal any flesh.

[Jent13c]

It’s not a teacher bashing thread really, it’s a thread discussing people dressing inappropriately for their job. It’s not a fashion show, it’s a fairly practical job, exposed skin when bending over or reaching up is not appropriate. These people are degree qualified professionals, most roles require a certain way of dressing.

Also if there is a strict uniform policy in place for the kids then the teachers should be the role models for that. How can you possibly put someone in isolation for skirt too short when yours in shorter than theirs?

[topcat2014]

Schools are struggling to catch up with the idea that no-one wears suits to work in offices anymore!

Having said that, I would expect smart trousers and formal shirts with collars for the men, and whatever is equivalent for the women, unless teaching PE.

I am a primary school governor, but couldn't tell you if there is a 'policy' as such.

[ILoveDolly]

I think its the head teachers job to correct staff dress and if they haven't, its none of your business. Parents are welcome to discuss their child's academic and social development with the teacher but they are not the workplace fashion police and commenting on clothing choice way over steps the boundary of what parents should be concerned about at school.

[Childrenofthesun]

I'm a primary teacher. We have a dress code - not particularly strict but no jeans or very short skirts. It seemed to be implemented after a few staff took to coming in dressed as if they were off to the pub - tight, white ripped jeans, super short skirts with over the knee boots. There is no need for teachers to be wearing suits and jackets but schools are workplaces and a certain standard of dress is not unreasonable, especially if you're coming into contact with parents.

[schopenhauer]

I agree the teacher should dress appropriately, both so that no one gets a view of her knickers or boobs etc and so she is comfortable. To try to say that wha you wear has no importance is a naive view of the world. Of course it does.

I teach in secondary and a few female teachers wear too short a skirt, dresses with low backs etc but I also disapprove of overly informal dresses eg denim or covered in floral patterns (there are some florals that can be ok but some are too casual/wedddingy imo). To be fair most of these inappropriate clothes are from one or two people. I don’t get how they don’t notice that it’s not suitable attire.