Teachers and Teaching Assistants - do you have a dress code at school?

[Collision]

Had a TA meeting at school today and were told we could no longer wear shortish dresses, leggings or flip flops.

No jeans anyway but wondered what your dress code was and whether you think it was reasonable to tell us what we can and cannot wear.

Well it all kicked off today and the HT had to send an email to say that leggings had now been outlawed as unprofessional attire.

'You may not agree with the decision but we know you will respect it.'

Am steaming.

Am amazed some teachers are wearing jeans - wouldn't dream of doing that in any of the schools I have worked in and am sure if anyone did they would be spoken to. We have rules about strappy tops, which came about after a couple of TAs were constantly leaning over small children with their bits almost hanging out! I mostly wear trousers as I teach 4 year olds and spend a lot of time crawling about! The odd skirt comes out on end of term assembly days - and then my class tell me I don't look right!

I take it you don't crawl through muddy forests on a regular basis bobala?

DD's school the TAs all wear uniform polo shirts with a logo, school fleece and trousers. TBH it is remarkably similar to the children's uniform round here (both primary and secondary), though the polo shirts are, for obvious reasons, a different colour to the children's uniform. I'm not a fan of uniform for anyone, but if one has to be imposed it seems reasonably practical and inoffensive.

I believe though am not certain that it was a group decision by the TAs (perhaps sick of their good clothes getting trashed?).

working in a private school I have noticed how alot of the female teachers wear skirts. No one is super trendy either so I don't feel frumpy in comparison.

I'm very bemused by the leggings thing. DD's teacher generally wears leggings with a smart tunic style top - IMO that would be a perfectly suitable outfit for any office/professional type job that didn't require a suit.

I worked at a school where the head had a thing about hoods. You were not allowed to wear anything with a hood on it, as alledegly it made you look like a teenager and an ASBO one at that

I used to come to work by public transport and was not allowed to have a coat with a hood in darkest winter.

Every school I've worked in has been no jeans.

My current school allows leggings with short dresses and tunics, and flip flops.

I realise there is a dress code in work places but as a 40 yr old TA I do think I have the right to choose what is appropriate to wear for work.

I wear this sort of thing

with black leggings and flat black shoes.

As a secondary teacher I have never been aware of a dress code in any school I worked at. Staff usually dressed to look professional and I am not aware that anyone had to be told how to do that. Students are expected to wear their uniform correctly, so why shouldn't staff dress appropriately too?

collision - I would say that is appropriate and smart, despite the leggings. It's fairly fasionable now, can't see anything wrong.

Just to put a different view a friend was told by her school to dress down because her smart clothes intimidated parents

We cannot win!!

Nothing wrong with leggings, just depends on how they are worn. scruffy ones with a short hoody is a totally different outfit from a short dress with smart black ones. the sort of dress that is linked to just a few posts is lovely.
The trouble is that a lot of people just dont get fashion. they have this idea that something is scruffy and inappropriate from their own youth, and keep that going long after it makes any sort of oscial sense.

Collision, you mad woman! What a totally bizarre outfit to wear for work

GoingMad- eh?? You being ironic or sarcastic or summat?

Collision - Your outfit example is very similar to what I wear for work as a TA.
I'd be lost without leggings as they are a staple part of my "uniform" but only with a long top or dress.
At our school the only dress code rules are no jeans (though you can get away with black demin) and no strappy tops.
As for banning fitflops?birkies I think I'd need to find a new job!! Mine go on in about March and dont come off until about mid october!

Just noticed this is a primary ed thread - is this what headteachers in primary schools do? Haven't they got anything else to do? It all seems a bit silly for gods sake - you are meant to be professional adults who should be trusted to be able to dress for work!?

Gabid - yes, this is what primary heads do. Manage adults like they manage children

i'm a TA. I've just recently braved Birkenstocks but wouldn't normally wear opened toes.

We are allowed to wear most things excluding denim which is normally saved for Jeans for Genes day, other than that i've seen TA's and Teachers wear all sorts

oh forgot to say i'm primary school

I think teachers should dress smartly especially if a school put emphasis on children dressing smartly. Have seen teachers with very, very short skirts and boobs hanging out comment at children for not complying with uniform - kids are too young to notice but the parents do.

Adults should lead by example and some (but not many) teachers dress very inappropriately for the environment they work in.

Ha, ha - yes, primary children wouldn't pay too much attention to too short skirts and boobs hanging out, but teenagers would!

I regularly had my chest patted in reception so best to keep it covered

Had a meeting with the DP and I do not think they will change their mind over this.

Apparantly tights are fine so I might purchase some footless tights. Is that taking things too far?