Teaching Assistants in primary schools what do you wear ??

[bawabod]

I am starting as a TA in primary school soon having been in a professional environment . I would love suggestions as what to wear. Many Thanks for any ideas. I know jeans are not allowed and I will be on the floor with a lot of the activities, I have old Fat face dune pants but they may well be past it now and a shame they are still not made as they would have been perfect I think.

Sorry not sure if you're M or F but I'm F and I generally wear long tops/short shift dresses with thick leggings with cardi.

they all wear white stuff it seems

Or you get them with purple hair who wear dms and dresses.

I am female thanks Kablooger for ideas have lots of DMs

smart casual..not DM boots though...well not in the school i teach in. The classroom assistants wear trousers and a top...they dont really wear skirts but then in our schools they mostly support children in the class and playground and do admin/resources and are not teachers in any sense. Ive heard its different in England. As teachers its slightly smarter but not suits unless you are depute or headteacher.

The 'uniform' for TAs where I work is black trousers and a top. Cardigans are useful as schools can be really hot but playtime duty really cold! Don't spend much money on shoes or boots. They get wrecked from crawling about on rough carpet. I have to polish my scuffed toes regularly!

I wear trousers and smarter tshirts/tops. I agree with a cardigan/jumper to grab for outdoor things. I wear my DM's but have pink hair.
Washable and not too restrictive would be my two things to consider!

Mrs Minton that sounds like a very cool look to me !! Bet the kids love your hair

I think you would be able to get away with cotton jean type trousers (i.e. not denim) as long as they´re not ripped or anything or a really skinny style. Otherwise a plain, comfortable pair of trousers. Pockets are handy especially at "that time of the month" as toilet breaks are often snatched wherever you can get one rather than a nice private comfortable 5 minute jaunt with your handbag.

Pumps or comfortable flat shoes, boots in winter especially if you´re spending time outdoors (at our school many TAs and teachers wear Ugg styles in winter, otherwise leather).

On top I´d say a T-shirt style / shape, either long or short sleeved. Classrooms aren´t usually cold but if you´re moving from room to room then a cardigan is wise.

Keep accessories cheap and washable. A watch is really useful for things like the patio or anywhere else you´re working without a clock.

At our school the TAs tend to do a lot of patio duty and helping with PE equipment (your role may be different) in which case you need a warm coat to pull on and off as you come in and out. Gloves, hat and scarf maybe too (or sunhat and sunglasses in summer).

Basically you want to be comfortable and to have clothes that can get dirty without creating emotional or financial strain for you. Also think about necklines and hemlines and general "decency" when bending over / stretching etc.

I would also recommend keeping a spare set of clothes, a top at least, at school in case you get wet, stained etc. (It happens!)

You really need to wait and see what it's like in your school because as you can see from the replies it varies between schools. I would go for reasonably smart at first rather than too scruffy and check out how others dress.

In the school I work in jeans are allowed, you can wear whatever you want really as long as it's decent, some are obviously more 'into' fashion/clothes than others and so there is a real range of styles of dress, we also have a wide age range so that has a bearing on how people dress.

Thank you bawabod! I've never had any negative comments and feel lucky to be able to be myself at work.
Good luck in September at your new job

I'm a TA and our school has a 'no jeans' rule. I've just bought (from Sainsbury's) a pile of leggings and yoga pants to wear with long tops and tunics at work.
As others have said, layers are best.

I go for functional fabrics, which don't need ironing and can stand up to a lot of washing, since everything gets covered in paint, snot, cake mixture, etc.

I've just bought some Sketchers black trainer/shoes. Last term I lived in my 'Go Walk' Mary Janes, so I've gone for similar but more robust for Autumn.
In the winter, I'll have Uggs for playground duty and keep a pair of soft black shoes for indoors.

I work with children on the autistic spectrum, so I need to be aware of their sensory needs, which means no clashing colours, bold prints, etc. I also avoid anything loose and trailing (which is particularly hard for me- I indulge my inner hippy at weekends and holidays! ).

Keeping a spare outfit at school is a great idea, which I'm stealing!

TA's in local schools wear leggings and the school hoodie in an array of colours. Its their uniform

amstill lovely to read of another TA who considers the sensory needs of the children she works with. Dh had a most wonderful TA who made sure that she knew of ds's preferences before she started working with him and so ditched the perfume and the floral patterns....... oh and anything pink

Obviously hat should be ds

Wow thank you ladies for all your posts and I have gleaned a good idea of what I need to have. I think the suggestion of spares to be kept at school is a good idea.