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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Tattoo for male primary School teacher.

71 replies

TheRobsit · 10/02/2013 19:35

Hi,

I am starting a BA in September for Primary Education and am currently in school and was thinking of getting a cross tattoo on my left lower forearm. I already have a tattoo on my left shoulder but obviously that one isn't visible.

I've been thinking about getting this one for a while mainly because I like the look of it and yes I am christian and also my Gran died a few months ago which kind of solidified my thoughts on getting it.

Just wondering what people thought? Do you think its appropriate? It is a small tattoo (maximum 5cm by 3cm) on the inner forearm.

Do you think people would have a proplem with it etc?

(Sorry for all these questions all at once but it is permanent so I want to make sure I make the right choice and dont spoil my career prospects).

OP posts:

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Binfullofmaggotsonth45 · 10/02/2013 19:38

Personally, as a mum to a primary school child, I wouldn't give a monkeys uncle as long as you were a great teacher, worked hard at what you did and kept your religious beliefs personal in a secular school.

LynetteScavo · 10/02/2013 19:39

I am a tatoo hater.

I would suggest getting it where it won't be seen while you are teaching.

I wouldn't mind if you were my DCs teacher and had a tattoo, though , as long as you were a good teacher.

bamboozled · 10/02/2013 19:43

Am an early years teacher - always taught in primary schools, rather than nurseries.
I would say don't. Just being honest but lots of parents take exceptions to the strangest things -
Can you have it somewhere that it would be always covered up while at work, rather than on your forearm?

meditrina · 10/02/2013 19:44

Well, I'd generally prefer no tattoos visible in what you are like to wear teaching (which would probably include short sleeves for games, or rolled up for messy).

But the design you describe shouldn't be a show-stopper. The no-nos in a school are anything on face/neck/hands, or anything that includes offensive language or nudity.

missmapp · 10/02/2013 19:47

At my school staff are not allowed to have visible tattoos , they have to be covered with a plaster- not sure how common that rule is though .

ravenAK · 10/02/2013 19:57

I know lots of teachers with tatts & have one myself. Planning more.

Some schools do expect you to cover them, so you might want to re-think the location unless you'd be happy slapping a plaster on it every day you're likely to roll your sleeves up...

I doubt the school could enforce it as a dress code, but it doesn't help your career in the early stages to give the HT excuses for unreasonable prejudice (mine actually winces if he catches me in my New Rocks before the kids arrive, which I wear if it's rainy or snowy & change out of long before I reach the classroom...)

BabyRoger · 10/02/2013 19:58

Wouldn't bother me at all if my child's teacher had a tattoo.

AmberLeaf · 10/02/2013 20:01

Wouldn't bother me at all, but it will bother some parents. who have nothing better to do

I think it would be wiser to get one higher up your arm so it can be covered by shorter sleeves.

MaybeOrnot · 10/02/2013 20:03

People are selective in their acceptance of tattoos. I'd wait to have it done once you've established yourself,in whatever career you choose.

LegoAcupuncture · 10/02/2013 20:03

Wouldn't bother me, as long as you were a decent teacher, that's all that would matter.

bamboostalks · 10/02/2013 20:08

Do not get a visible tattoo. It may affect your career.

lalalonglegs · 10/02/2013 20:22

You're still at school - is it even legal to get a tattoo? I am a tattoo hater and, while it wouldn't put me off you as a teacher, I would think it was a shame that you had disfigured yourself in this way. You may decide that teaching isn't for you and want to go into a more conservative profession where it would definitely be frowned upon. Don't do it.

Fairylea · 10/02/2013 20:25

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

In a profession like teaching where your image can actually be slightly alternative and go in your favour I'd go for it.

My dh is covered in tattoos and has never had a problem even in management positions.

I think people are seriously stuck in the dark ages if they think tattoos affect professional advancement so much nowadays. It really is quite a non issue for most employers.

lisad123everybodydancenow · 10/02/2013 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lalalonglegs · 10/02/2013 20:33

I think you are wrong, Fairylea. I expect your husband is so good at this job that he is promoted despite his tattoos. I have worked in a very liberal profession (journalism) for 20-odd years where visible tattoos would definitely have been problematic and, thinking about it, I can only think of one colleague who had any sort of tattoo at all. I was talking about tattoos a couple of weeks ago with some friends who work in law and banking and they said tattoos would put them off a candidate (they are both high enough up the ladder to be recruiters). Lots of people are like me and hate them and think, rightly or wrongly, that it is a vaguely stupid thing to do.

slambang · 10/02/2013 20:38

I've been a primary teacher alongside colleagues with tatoos (and funnily this in no way affected their teaching skills!)

But I'd really (personally) feel a bit uncomfortable about a cross in a very visible body area. Not because I have anything against religious symbols personally, but just remember you'll be teaching children and dealing with parents of all different religions and none. Most people may not be bothered, but some may feel it's a rather blatant sign that you are a member of one particular exclusive 'club' that they are not members of. It may cause some people to feel or to look for favouritsim / hostility / discrmination.

I taught in some very multicultural schools with teachers of various religions. Most found it easier not to advertise their own personal religious beliefs when dealing with families from so many different backgrounds.

Get your tattoo on your bum somewhere else.

NewFerry · 10/02/2013 20:56

As a parent I would prefer that my DC teachers do not have visible tattoos in primary school.
I'm trying to articulate why, and I think it's because I really dislike them and would find it difficult to explain to a young child why a teacher that we should both respect would have something which I don't respect, in a way that keeps the child's respect for the teacher but at the same time acknowledges that neither me nor DH like them and we would be unhappy if DC chose to get one when they were older.

I am more relaxed about tattoos on teachers once DC are in secondary school (as mine are). But I do think they give out an unprofessional message especially in a school which has a strict school uniform policy as our faith comp does.

Jenny70 · 10/02/2013 21:10

I am not a tattoo lover. So my perspective is from that angle, just so you know.

My DS had an excellent teacher in Yr3 that was covered in tattoos - flames down both his calves, many celtic symbols visible on forearms, and more piercings than me, LOL. His initial appearance did make me double take, but I was more than happy to let him demonstrate his teaching ability, which was incredible. Didn't bother me in the least once I saw he could teach and inspire the kids.

I would say we live in an area without many visible tattoos, certainly most teachers are dressed very conservatively etc. But obviously he got the job, and our quite conservative head teacher obviously didn't discriminate.

But if she had a choice between 2 excellent teachers, would she choose the one which is least likely to be a problem to parents? Probably.

AgentProvocateur · 10/02/2013 21:11

If I was recruiting and interviewing - and I'm not a teacher - and there were two candidates of equal ability, I'd avoid the one with the tattoo of a religious (any religion) symbol. I'd be worried that they would be evangelical about their religion in the workplace.

ravenAK · 10/02/2013 21:11

You see I find that quite odd, Newferry.

I really dislike fake tan, & those really long, French polished nails, but it simply wouldn't occur to me that they would cause any adjustment in my level of respect for someone who has them.

It's probably useful for OP to know that there are indeed people out there who think this way though.

aPseudonymToFoolHim · 10/02/2013 21:15

tattoo acceptance in the workplace

And I wouldn't have a problem with it

thegreylady · 10/02/2013 21:21

I would have it on your upper arm just to be sure.

drjohnsonscat · 10/02/2013 21:22

Quite honestly? No, would prefer no tattoos. DN's teacher has v visible tattoos and I don't like it. Of course it doesn't affect her teaching ability in the least but I think teachers do things other than just teach - including model standards of dress and demeanour for most working lives and that's why I'd rather no tattoos. Just my view.

Poffleski · 10/02/2013 21:24

Really wouldn't or think anything of seeing a tattoo on a teacher. Only thing that might make me take note is seeing a religious tattoo. As someone else said it might make me think you'd be evangelising in class. To be honest though I would probably catch myself thinking that and tell myself off for being an irrational judge pants.
The fact that you're asking this also suggests that you're not 100% convinced about where to put your tattoo. Could it be worth relocating it if you're desperate for it immediately? Then in a couple f years once you're established and more confident with your choices have an additional piece done?
Good luck with your course.

scarlettsmummy2 · 10/02/2013 21:28

I wouldn't like it to be brutally honest. I just don't think my daughters need to see them. My husband has two and I hate them.

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