To think this is an unusual trait to list in job advert

[Snowandsparkles12]

Under desirable there's a bullet point for sense of humour? The post is based in a secondary school.

Aibu to think this is an odd thing to list and didn't come across as professional?

I think that would be very helpful in a school.
Teens do idiot things. Surely better to be able to see the light side than getting over stressed?
(Thinking of Oh George wondered what would happen if .... scenarios).

I hate it once for a primary school, and the interview including a formal question session with the school council.

It annoyed me to be honest, and I ended up for a number of reasons not taking the job

Also, possibly depends on the role? Head of maths, maybe unnecessary. Pastoral role or office reception then maybe yes.

Don’t apply - you clearly don’t have a sense of humour.

Likely because secondary school children use some very colourful language and can also be quite cheeky! A teacher with no sense of humor probably wouldn’t make it in that environment!

It’s fine / sensible.

Not unprofessional at all. although if you think it is it’s probably not the place for you.

I’d say it was quite useful if working with teens.

I think you need a sense of humour to work in any school!

I actually agree with you OP, I don’t think that is something I would expect in a job advert for a school

Brilliant. I would think the culture they are wishing to cultivate at the school was good for mental health of pupils and staff and would immediately apply.
It didn't stipulate what kind of sense of humour so to me suggests they want to encourage a generally positive environment.
I would like you to apply just so you can report back on whether this take on it was accurate, or it turned out the head was cult member of latest well-being fad. 😁

I think it’s fine. I can totally see why it’s there.

You’ve definitely needed a strong sense of humour for any of the schools/colleges I’ve worked in. One department had a very “robust” approach to pretty much everything and if you had no sense of humour you’d have found it a very difficult place to work. As it was the shared camaraderie, “banter” (hate that word but that’s what it was), mild mickey-taking and dark humour got us through some challenging times.

Yes it's a pastoral admin role

That is code for the behaviour is challenging! I would be giving it a swerve!

I wouldn’t like it. It might read as code for a bullying “it was just a joke” culture, or an excuse for poor management and processes.

When I was younger I asked my dad why this was sometimes included in job ads.

He said "it means you'll need one."

I’d understand it to mean “ability to keep your sense of humour when things are difficult” rather than that they want you to be cracking gags all the time.

There's a separate job advert on my county police job website for a similar role but not in a school. The advert no where states you need a sense of humour.......I mean I can have a laugh but as someone else said is this code for a toxic work environment where "it was just a joke" is actually not a nice environment to work in

They were my thoughts anyway

I honestly don’t think it will be due to the culture of the staff. I think it will be because the students are wild. Have a look at the OFSTED and see if the behaviour tallies up with it.

Sounds like something that would be impossible to accurately assess at recruitment. One person's sense of humour could be very different to another's.
Snacks of that bring your whole-self to work horseshit.

I don't think it means banter, I think it means that it's really chaotic and you have to have a "laugh or I'll cry" mindset to cope there.

Whether that's due to poor management or (probably in this case) challenging behaviour from the pupils and/or parents.

I've seen sense of humour in job adverts before. It's ridiculous - who doesn't think they have a sense of humour.

Also team player 🙄

Oh yep..... just done a quick check. Leadship is inadequate! Behaviour and attitude- requires improvement, quality of education- requires improvement

Bingo.

Well, if you’re over thinking it, and making assumptions/ getting offended then I reckon it isn’t for you.