what do teachers/teaching assistants wear?

[weakestlink]

I am starting 2 weeks observation in December and I was wondering how smart I need to be whilst keeping it practical at the same time!

Are knitted dresses and tights/leggings and boots ok or should I wear a suit?

Would suit trousers, shirt and cardi be better?

Will be opting for flat boots or pumps for footwear I think.

Any ideas welcomed!

What age group will you be observing? Primary or secondary? And if primary, the younger end of the school or the older children?

As a primary teacher, I wear skirts/dresses (Boden), tights and flat boots. Most of my colleagues wear something similar. The Key Stage 1 staff usually prefer to wear trousers.

Primary - Year 1

In that case I would go for something smart but relaxed on the first day - trousers and a comfortable top. Layers would be a good idea if you don't know about the heating set up as well - some classrooms can be like an oven while the room next door is freezing.

Flat shoes/boots - something comfortable as you may well be on your feet, or at least up and down all day. I wear heels (about an inch, may 1.5 inches but that's because I work in a year 5/6 class and some children have a tendency to be taller than me by Christmas)

KS1 days tend to be messier than KS2 days so don't go in your Sunday best but you do want to look professional.

After the first day you'll be able to judge what other staff are wearing and adapt accordingly. Finally - enjoy your two weeks!

There are a few of things to avoid (btw, I am in "the business"): anything low - cut (you will be bending over children who are working at tables so do a trial-run at home), including low-slung trousers (no-one want to see your knickers, or worse!). Make sure there is no gap between top and trousers/skirt when you stretch or reach. Take a cardigan - you will be moving between hot classrooms and cold corridors. Flat shoes (or at least take a pair with you to change into in case you need them), you will be on your feet for most of the day. You may also have to stand on chairs/tables/worktops to reach wall displays. Do not wear fine tights (or if you do, take spares) schools are not often well maintained and you WILL snag them on rough -edged cupboards/tables etc. Unless you are filthy rich, buy only washable clothes: again, schools are not all that well cleaned, so you will get grubby. Also, you will be working with ink/marker pens/etc etc (even in most secondary schools). Best advice is go plain and conservative on the clothing and jazz up with jewellery, scarves, coloured tights, shoes, perfume (don't forget perfume - it really cheers everyone up!). The younger the children you are working with, the more I would recommend trousers (then you can happily kneel, crouch and even sit on the floor with no problems). ear in mind that all children (even big ones) seem to like colours, so try to steer away from too much black, and you will appear friendlier!

oops - "bear" in mind!

The infants often love it if you wear some pretty jewellery, colourful nail varnish, unusual bracelets. Not something I would have been aware of until I started teaching. I had a pair of patent shoes with bows and they all told me how much they loved me wearing them. It can be useful to leave a change of top in the car. One senior teacher has a smarter jacket in her cupboard if she needs to see a parent or do an assembly