Page 5 | Post the most petty rule your school has for teachers

MaryBerrysEyelashes · 2025-10-13T11:34:02+00:00

That might explain the teacher recruitment shortage

TheNinthLockUnlocked · 14/10/2025 13:27

We - as Teaching Assistants in a primary school - had to wear formal business wear.

Yes, because when siting on the carpet with children, doing playground duty and tidying up after painting sessions is absolutely when formal business wear is essential and practical....
We had a rule about trouser length as part of that dress code. Complete with pictures telling us which lengths of trousers were acceptable.

RaraRachael · 14/10/2025 14:15

@TheNinthLockUnlocked that is absolutely batshit

Have the people who make these ridiculous rules ever spent any time in a classroom or have any idea what the job involves?

How the hell does trousers length reflect your ability to do the job.

FrippEnos · 14/10/2025 17:22

PepforPM · 14/10/2025 12:26

@RaraRachael On its own, probably no. However it’s a sign of the same root problems - “progressive” ideology and teachers’ unions being allowed to run the roost, rather than evidence-based approaches that have been rolled out in English schools over the last 20 years and have been very effective at lifting standards.

As someone else said, teachers shouldn’t need to be told to dress or act professionally but sadly some of them do need to be told.

Its been a long time since unions ruled in schools.

MagdaLenor · 14/10/2025 17:33

PepforPM · 14/10/2025 12:26

@RaraRachael On its own, probably no. However it’s a sign of the same root problems - “progressive” ideology and teachers’ unions being allowed to run the roost, rather than evidence-based approaches that have been rolled out in English schools over the last 20 years and have been very effective at lifting standards.

As someone else said, teachers shouldn’t need to be told to dress or act professionally but sadly some of them do need to be told.

Just to repeat what pp have said: the teaching unions have very little control or influence in schools nowadays.
Times have changed.

PepforPM · 14/10/2025 18:00

@FrippEnos In Scotland their job (such as it was) is mainly now being done for them by the Scottish Government. But it’s the same characters & attitudes.

TheNinthLockUnlocked · 14/10/2025 19:13

RaraRachael · 14/10/2025 14:15

@TheNinthLockUnlocked that is absolutely batshit

Have the people who make these ridiculous rules ever spent any time in a classroom or have any idea what the job involves?

How the hell does trousers length reflect your ability to do the job.

It was indeed utterly batshit. Many eyebrows were raised….

HelenaWaiting · 18/10/2025 05:17

EducatingArti · 13/10/2025 20:39

It depends what you mean by professional clothing though. I think, for example that is ridiculous to ask Early Years and KS1 and probably even KS2 teachers to wear a formal business suit. It is really inappropriate for all the bending/stretching/squatting/kneeling etc that you have to do, as well as the way you are likely to end up covered in glue/ paint/snot (or worse - I once had a KS2 child throw up over my shoes). Whatever you wear has to be easily washable!

I do agree that teachers should look "neat and tidy" though and that clothes should not show underwear or be revealing when stretching or bending.

The EY/KS1 staff at the all-through school I used to work in were provided with school branded joggers, sweatshirts and polo shirts. I have to say they looked great and I often wished it could be extended to all the staff.

Needlenardlenoo · 19/10/2025 20:22

Harris academies. You got a small bonus if you didn't attend a funeral during term time. Because it's no issue to decide when someone dies!

Original poster

MaryBerrysEyelashes · 21/10/2025 23:44

Needlenardlenoo · 19/10/2025 20:22

Harris academies. You got a small bonus if you didn't attend a funeral during term time. Because it's no issue to decide when someone dies!

Noooo

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