To ask that school pupils use my first name, rather than mrs. Smith?

[PramFaceBuggyBrain]

I'm a peripatetic percussion teacher in secondary schools and really dont like the formality of "Mrs Smith". aibu to ask that, in a school i'm about to start teaching in, that the pupils call me "Jane" instead? would this seem weird to the parents?

[echt]

It's what the school wants.

When I was in FE, everyone from cleaner to principal was first name. No loss of respect or discipline.

In my secondary school in Oz, everyone is Ms/Mrs/Mr, etc. until you get to TAs, technicians or the school keeper, at which point they become first name buddies. But not to me; I insist on calling the said TAs, etc. Mr/Ms/Mrs when directing a student. Their faces as they try to figure out what I'm saying, but I don't give a feck: all adults should be accorded the same dignity.

[DeWe]

I would have hated that as a pupil. It would have made me feel really awkward with the teacher, as if she was trying to be a friend too hard, if that makes sense.

[Blu]

DS was in a primary where all adults were known by their first names and discipline and respect was excellent and specifically praised in the outstanding ofsted report. First names need not equal lack of respect at all.

However, I think if it is the norm in the school you need to check school policy and go along with it.

[BrianGiggs]

You need to follow school policy.

[BrianGiggs]

also if you are the only one using a first name it looks slightly ingratiating.
We had this at ours and it drove the other staff nuts

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

I think you do have to go with what the school normally does - though I can understand preferring your first name. It risks looking a bit try-hard down with the kidz.

I loathe 'sir and miss' with a passion though - it should be title surname, if that's what they're doing.

Quaker school near us only uses first names - are the ones people have mentioned above Quaker schools, or is this something that's catching on?