To agree with this headteacher regarding wearing pyjamas as outdoor wear?

[MaisyMooMoo]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-35413153

No one thinks pjs are suitable attire for all occasions. The debate is whether it's up to the head teacher to police this as regards parents of children in her care. A comparable example would be smoking. I don't like it, it doesn't set a good example to children but is it up to the head teacher to police whether parents smoke or not?

I probably missed this but what does the headteacher propose doing with the parents that decline to be told what to wear by her?

"Banned". Really? How, exactly?

I'd love to know the punishment for disobedience.

I have decided it is disrespectful for other people over whom I hold zero authority to wear and those that do not obey my rules shall be subject to.......

Can people really not tell the difference between "I don't like your perfectly legal choices" and "I've got the right to tell you what to do"?

I wonder whether the head teacher has as much trouble when she suggests that maybe parents should encourage their children to read. It's probably the same parents who don't bother with that either.

She didn't try to ban parents wearing anything, Hairy, she simply requested that "when you are escorting your children, you take the time to dress appropriately in daywear that is suitable for the weather conditions."

Oh for life to go back to my school days. From age 5 I took myself to school meeting up with all my other friends from the estate on the way. My DM may or may not have been "dressed" for the day and it was of no concern to anyone.

Koala, the kids are being equipped with the correct skills to function in society - they are wearing school uniform and are in school on time. So clearly the parent's clothing is of no consequence.

As the parents are not her employees, nor her pupils, nor are they in any way accountable to her, I would suggest that their clothing choices are none of her concern.

There is a difference between "I disapprove of the way you dress" and "I am going to write you a letter telling you how to dress in a way I prefer".

I never said I'd wear PJs at work, or that I thought PJs would do instead of scrubs.

Don't twist what I say.

I have done, and will continue to do if I wish, the school run in pyjamas, and I see nothing wrong with this. I'm not talking about attending work.

Don't agree with pj in public. When iv been very sick I just swap my pj bottoms for yoga pants or leggings, sling on a coat and hat. Drop kids off then crawl back into bed.

When taking children to school you are visiting an establishment which sets standards and examples to children. By turning up in appropriate attire for that type of venue you are helping to set those standards and examples. Just like you may wear something smart to meet your bank manager or to appear in court. You want to appear in a certain way to the people you are meeting and venue appropriate.

Clearly, some people do not feel the same way as you, Maisymoomoo, so what's the point of this thread other than to say "I wouldn't wear pjs, and I judge people who do"

The head is clearly free to judge people and think her own private thoughts.
Just as people are free to dress as smartly or as slovenly as they wish in their own private lives.

If you are an employer you have a right to demand a certain dress code of your employees, and if they don't comply then sanctions are available. An agreement is in place.

Headteachers have zero authority to dictate dress code over anyone who isn't a member of staff or a pupil. I can't begin to imagine why this head thought it appropriate to comment on the clothing of other adults.

Clearly, some people do not feel the same way as you, Maisymoomoo, so what's the point of this thread other than to say "I wouldn't wear pjs, and I judge people who do"

It's called 'Discussion'

YANBU I think it's awful. Until very recently I hadn't seen anyone do this but last week I saw a woman at the supermarket in her PJs. I just think, why? It's disrespectful to others even if they don't mind themselves. I don't want to look at someone in their bed clothes, it suggests they are unwashed. These days there are comfortable clothes so there is no excuse. Standards people!

I agree maisymoo the head has every right when they see the effect on the pupils. It is a team effort to teach children. Why would a child listen to a teacher who asks them to sit up straight, wear their uniform correctly when their parents are slobs?

Yes green18 it is indeed a team effort to teach our children. There are some people who believe it is just the job of the teachers and not the parents. Everyone is responsible.

I read threads like this and just count my lucky stars that I'm not in the teaching profession. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the kind of twattish, selfish behaviour they have to put up with from some parents. God help you.

Problem is, schools are expected to teach children about the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, eating fatty or sugary foods, the importance of personal hygiene, the need to dress appropriately for the occasion, etc. If parents do smoke, drink heavily, have unhealthy diets and/or do not bother to get dressed in the morning, they may be exercising their adult right to die young or get wet feet and strange looks, but they are also somewhat undermining the messages schools are required to impart.

It's called 'Discussion'

Oh, ok. I misunderstood. I thought it was about whether headteachers have the right to issue dress codes to any and all adults.

Apparently I wandered onto style and beauty accidentally.

So. Hotpants: yay or nay?

Frumpet, I believe it is, but not willy nilly as it used to be.

Roundabout, she is probably making unwarranted assumptions. Does she assume that a parent who shows up 'dressed' has washed? I bet she does.

If she frequently got a whiff from parents who were 'dressed', would she be within her rights to ask that parents wash before attending school events? The answer is no. She could flag a child who turned up smelly on a regular basis. But she doesn't have the authority to question the sartorial choices of parents or the frequency of bathing.

Let's face it, she has assumed she has authority over these parents because she views herself as having a higher social status than them and ergo the authority to issue "guidance" in areas falling way outside her perview. Unfortunately many on this thread support her world view. If were issuing were issuing guidance to middle class parents about the appropriateness of drinking wine in front of their children or something people would be able to see more clearly how she's overstepping boundaries.

I can imagine the umbrage.

But middle class parents are regularly criticised for drinking too much... It's in the papers pretty much every day.

And schools probably are expected to teach children what recommended safe drinking limits are when discussing alcohol. This is no doubt an indirect criticism of behaviour a lot of children witness from their parents. It's not really that far removed from writing to the parents directly.

But do HTs send letters home? Are they going to administer breathalysers at the school doors at parents' evenings?