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

[MsColour]

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.

I'm a secondary Performing Arts teacher. I dress smartly - usually a dress/jacket type outfit. I do wear fabulous shoes though.

We did a survey with the kids last ear about effective teaching. Interestingly, the vast majority thought that teachers who dressed smartly were better teachers (they actually said that) Most at my school are smart, but there is the odd one or two (women) who look like they've pulled on the first thing they found on the floor. And one young English teacher who dresses like she's going on the pull. She's got a lovely figure though...

I do have to careful with necklines - I'm large of nork and don't want to be flashing a room full of hormonal teenage boys.

One HT at my DCs school obviously insisted that the teachers wear suits for parents evening. It was ridiculous IMO. He wasn't a popular HT, and the OFSTED while he was there was rubbish. He didn't last long.

I think strappy tops are OK if you wear a suitable bra, and are youngish. Better than V-necks which seem popular with large-breasted middle aged KS1 teachers, who let it all hang out when they bend down to the children.

I think if the school had a uniform, then teachers should have a dress code.

Has anyone mentioned teachers in Uggs, yet?

I'm not keen on male teachers, especially in primary school, in a suit and tie. I think shirt and trousers is the way to go. HT's who spend their day in the office can wear a tie, I'll allow that...but no comedy ones.

no, i don't care what my children's teachers wear.
i mean, if one of them turned up in a gimp suit or something I might have a problem with that. but in general, no.

I think the school and the local demographic makes a difference of. My dds school a fairly small town, not lots of deprivation, teachers dress fairly formal to smart casual. However I have worked in inner city deprived areas and the teachers tended to dress far more modestly in terms of being casual. Some jeans etc but I think that does help with approachability and connectedness, if parents were to feel inferior or intimidated by the way teachers dress.

Thinking about how teachers dress, I had a secondary school teacher who used to wear the normal skirt suits, but always had the most amazing hair and shoes...

I expect teachers to look professional as they are in a professional role. In our school they all look well dressed but casual: trousers and a smart top, jersey dress and leggings - don't think that they need to be in a suit but they do need to look like they have made an effort. I am afraid that I wouldn't take a teacher seriously in jeans and a hoody, it's not hard or expensive to look smart casual. The male teachers wear smart trousers, ties and jumpers.

Dds make teacher(yr 2) is an indie style dresser with a guitar. He's a fab teacher and the kids love him.

Doesn't bother me at all. Would far rather concentrate on his teaching skills and interaction with the kids :)

I work in a secondary school. I agree with most posts that teachers should be fairly smart. Trousers, shirts and ties for the men, jacket not a necessity. Trousers and smart, not too low cut tops, smart dresses and skirts for the women. Doesn't have to be formal workwear for the women, a line skirts and wrap dresses are fine. Clothes shouldn't detract from the lessons, the teacher dressing smartly sets both an example and the tone for the classroom environment.

Not fine is veeeeeery clingy jersey skirts and dresses which mean I can literally see the outline of your arse cheeks. Yes, I am thinking of a specific teacher. Bleugh I am not at all jealous that the arse cheeks in question are distinctly perter than my own

But also the blanket dress code shouldn't count for all support staff e.g. mere technicians like me. I have to wear the same smart gear as the teachers but I have a physical and messy job that would be much easier if I could wear jeans and trainers.

Ours wear dresses, stockings, shoes (but not silly total mega stilettos), leggings and tunics, jacket and dress, trousers and school hoodie, that kind of thing. Not seen a tattoo. One has thick eyeliner and false eyelashes but is young so it sort of looks okay and she's not "tarty" or "Essex" in any other way (no cleavage and stuff) - sorry if that sounds wrong! Or sexist!

I actually work at the school too (though not for much longer) and they don't like excessive cleavage (so if you are larger of bust you have to be slightly careful what top you choose - you can't' spill out) and strappy tops/camis or anything that might give builders bum or torso flash in a moment of leaning over or running or attending to a child is a no-no, but we hardly have to dress as matrons either. I got told off for wearing what they thought were flip flops, but when I showed my line manager they had a back strap and were simply toe post sandals but properly fitted to my feet with ankle straps, that was fine.

I think teachers should be able to be comfortable, warm/cool, individual, but semi conventional, depending on the school setting - i.e if a child can't have 3 toned hair perhaps the teacher shouldn't - I'm not actually against that kind of individuality though but it doesn't tend to go on in my school.

My post referred to secondary school, I agree primary is a different and altogether more casual and messy kettle of fish.

i don't care if they are dressed smartly or more casually, as long as they look able to muck in with whatever is required (infant school). I wouldn't be bothered by jeans or trainers, but would raise an eyebrow at towering heels, or a top struggling to contain a heaving bosom.

I couldn't care less what the teachers are wearing. They could be dressed in Disney princess dresses/buzz lightyear costumes for all I care.

I suspect it's very much 'business casual' at DS1's exam factory but I can't seem to get to meet any of the teachers to verify this. I can honestly say that what staff at DS2's school are wearing has not even registered with me.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

I do not care.

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

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

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.

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.

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

What's wrong with breast cleavage?

Smart and business like is my preference.

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