What do Male TA's wear?

[LastAvailableNickname]

I'm volunteering as a TA at my daughter's school, I've been doing it for 6 months now and I've just started my L3 TA's diploma. Last week I joined a Temping Agency and they've found me some actual paid work - I'm really excited about it, but I've no idea what to wear.

I work with Y1's and Y2's (plus a little bit in Reception) and there's lots of cutting and sticking etc...So I think a shirt and tie isn't right, but jeans and T-Shirt???

I've asked the other TA's at school and they're really happy for me, but they don't know either! I really don't look good in a dress, so anyone out there who knows....

[MissPricklePants]

Hello! I'm a TA too although I'm female. The male TA'sI work with generally wear dark trousers and a t shirt or sporty stuff. Good luck with your paid work!

[spanieleyes]

The male TA we have wears a shirt and tie ( trousers too!!) but he works in yr 3/4. Jeans and a t shirt would be a no-no in my school, chinos and a shirt would be ok, a short sleeved shirt without a tie would be a possibility in warmer weather, polo shirts would be fine but not t shirts!

[kimlo]

weve got a male student at work he wears a shirt with a jumper over and not jeans but dark coloured trousers. Im not sure what you would call them chinos?

[LastAvailableNickname]

Thanks girls - you are all legends! I've got some dark 'chinos' and possibly a polo shirt if my dryers not eaten it!

Thanks again!

[Feenie]

Smart casual.

In case you have to use these terms in your new role, you should be typing TAs, Y2s and Y1s with no apostrophes.

[insanityscatching]

The male TA's in dd's school wear a variety of things from formal shirt and tie and smart trousers to sports wear to shorts and a polo shirt and everything in between. They all have different roles and dress accordingly I suppose. I would say chinos and a casual shirt would be a safe bet though.

[JasonOgg]

Something you wouldn't weep over if it was ruined, but not jeans!

[Menolly]

I know the female staff at DD's school aren't allowed to wear jeans and a t-shirt so I would assume it's the same for male staff, the only male TA they have generally wears trousers, a poloshirt and a jumper, unless it's school plays or something parents come in for, when he wears a shirt and tie. Good luck with the paid work.

[Fairenuff]

Not jeans, no. Trousers and a casual shirt, polo shirt would be fine. What did you wear when you were volunteering?

[Blueandwhitelover]

My son was a TA and always wore shirt, tie and black trousers.

[auntpetunia]

the ta in our year 2 wears chinos or track pants with a smart Polo shirt, the one in year 4 wears chinos and short sleeved shirts, only the male teachers wear shirt and tie. good luck in your job

[gymboywalton]

wear a shirt and tie on your first day
that will always be appropriate and then you can scope out the school and see what the dress code.
you couldn't get away with a polo shirt at my school-it would have to be a smart shirt and trousers.

[blueemerald]

I agree with going smart. At my school our temp/new staff always turn up smart but we have no dress code as such (SEBD school) so most people wear sports wear, chinos or jeans.

[Fairenuff]

I wouldn't bother with a tie for KS1, it will just get in the way. Wear one for your first day if you want and see how others are dressed.

[BackforGood]

Always better to be smarter than they expect, than less formal than is allowed at that school, so I'd certainly wear black trousers, and shirt and tie on the first day, and then check out the lay of the land from there.

[Ferguson]

I'm a Dad, and started as a 'parent helper', then became a TA, ten years in primary, two in secondary. Including voluntary helper when I reached retirement age, I had over twenty-five years in schools altogether. One of my earliest Yr1 'readers' turned up again seventeen years later on her final year of Teacher Training teaching practice! One rather odd teacher when I was doing secondary voluntary help, said she couldn't TELL me what to do, because I was voluntary!

Yes, smart casual is safest, and a tie to start (you can always take if off, if other men there don't wear them). At the comprehensive I seem to recall a tie was expected. In an infant school, we did have an excellent young male teacher who dressed very 'casual' - you could sometimes say 'scruffy' - but somehow he got away with it. Burnt joss sticks in his Reception class; sandals and no socks in summer. But I understand he smartened up when he became a Head some year's later!

I'd had twenty years in office work, as supervisor and later, manager, but the '80's recession made me redundant, hence I eventually got into Education - MUCH MORE FUN!

Good luck and enjoy! If you have any queries, come back if you wish.

[nilbyname]

Dress smarter than you think as you only get one chance to make a first impression.

Smart shirt, v neck jersey, tie and smart trousers.

Jersey can be taken off, sleeves r

[nilbyname]

Rolled up, tie off.

[Frikadellen]

The male TA at our school wears dark trousers and a shirt.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

I agree with those saying dress smarter than you think on the first day. Shirt tie and dark trousers. If others are more casual (as they probably will be) then polo shirt and dark trousers are a good option :)

[blueberryupsidedown]

When DH was TA in primary school he wore shirt and tie with a v neck jumper on top on colder days, with casual trousers and comfortable shoes. Now (many years later) he is deputy head and still wears shirt tie and casual trousers every day!!!

[enormouse]

Dp (TA) wears smart jumpers/shirts with dark straight cut jeans. Occasionally a blazer or waistcoat. Things that are smart but not expensive and wash well ( recently bought him some new shirts in the Asos sale). I think he was wearing black jeans, a checked shirt and a dark blue jumper today.

Though he dresses more casually if he's doing art or guitar club. Or if he has to help out in the preschool.

[enormouse]

I do agree with everyone else, start off smart and then take your lead from the other male teachers. Dp wore suit trousers, shirt and tie on his first day.

[Hulababy]

Our male TA and also out male y2 teacher wear dark trousers and a shirt or smart top generally.

No jeans worn here - jeans are generally frowned upon; informal dress code etc

Smart casual unless doing sports lessons I would say

[Focusingkingqueen]

Chinos pref dark plus a shirt tucked in with a neutral colour v neck if it's cold.